Uniform identification - RFC, RAF or other???

[Trippy]

Hello

The man in the front row to the right is my great grandfather.  I know he served in the RFC for a very short period from Jan 1918 to April 1918, he was then transferred to the RAF.  He serviced in France from April 1918 to July 1919.  In August 1919 his service ended and he was transferred to the RAF reserves.  I also know he was a batman, whilst he was serving in France.

Can anybody help me identify what uniform he is wearing, why he doesn't seem to have any badges on his cap, lapels etc, and when or where it was taken?

Also I might be pushing my luck here, but would anybody be able to tell me what sort of work the RAF was doing in France between 1918-1919.

Thank you in advance for any help

Trippy

[ev]

hi trippy

the RAF was formed on the 1st of april 1918 and according to the RAF
history website dropped 5,500 tons of bombs and destroyed 3000(claimed)
enemy aircraft in 1918
at the end of the war it was the largest airforce in the world
the change over from RFC to RAF does not seem to have been that
smooth and perhaps insignia for uniforms were in short supply(well there was
a war on !)

ev

[harribobs]

he's wearing a standard army uniform in that photo

[Trippy]

Excuse my ignorance but why would he be wearing an army uniform?

Trippy

[harribobs]

probably because he was in the army

have you looked for a medal index card?

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=10&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1

[ev]

hi trippy

the navy and the army were not best pleased by the formation of another
armed service and so they probably did not get the best equipment
perhaps he and his mates were transfered from the army hence the lack
of insignia
is it just me or do the people in the picture look ill at ease ?

ev

[harribobs]

hi trippy

the navy and the army were not best pleased by the formation of another
armed service and so they probably did not get the best equipment
perhaps he and his mates were transfered from the army hence the lack
of insignia
is it just me or do the people in the picture look ill at ease ?

ev

  where did you get this information from ev?

[neil1821]

I have to agree with Harribobs. Definitely an army uniform.

You say he was RFC for a matter of a few months in 1918. I imagine the photo must predate 1918 in that case

[Trippy]

Oh god!!

Have I opened a can of worms?

Never thought he was in the army.  I went to Kew to find his RFC/RAF record, which I did.  I also know on his record, its says he was a munitions worker before enrolling.  He was married in Dec 1915, and his first child born Oct 1916.  Therefore do you think he might of squeezed in a spell in the army??  Would his RFC record shown he was in the army previously?

Would it be another trip to Kew to find out for sure?

Thanks for your help so far
Trippy