Gt Grandfather Arthur Jex - pilot WW1

[McVitie]

Good morning

I have just received a photo (the first and only one I have) of my great grandfather Arthur Jex from a great Uncle of mine.

To my utter surprise it shows Arthur in what appears to be a pilots uniform, which is well and truly a surprise to my family as we have a record of his discharge papers from the Army in 1914, due a  leg injury.

He must have then decided to join the Flying Corps instead, but  I would never have imagined we had a pilot in the family - no one ever mentioned this.

Can anyone help with identification of the attached photo - I don't even know who/what he served with!

Kind regards

McVitie

[mmm45]

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=3257287&queryType=1&resultcount=2

Wonder if this is him?

In April 1918 RAF was formed not sure how you go about researching them if they transferred from RFC??

Ady

[McVitie]

Hi Ady

Thanks very much for the link - I reckon that is him. Worth the £2 fee I would think!

Kind regards

McVitie

[neil1821]

Only £2 as you say, so worth a chance!
But one note of caution, isn't he a sergeant in the photo rather than an air mechanic 2nd class?
Having said that, I don't know what rank insignia is for an air mechanic 

Curious that the photo is marked "Sgt A Jex" and then also "F.Albrecht, Pilot, Karlsruhe 1918"
Hopefully not throwing a spanner in the works, just pointing it out!
Could there be a POW angle to this?

[mmm45]

Dont buy yet ive got another surprise for you!!

Courtesy of Ancestrys pilots licences online

[mmm45]

Hope this comes out!!

[mmm45]

Qualified as a pilot in Kings Lynn before the war!

You could be right about POW (nice slippers!)
 

[mmm45]

His 1915 Star MIC here his others are probably on RAF record??
Im sure thats a mechanic badge on his arm

[mmm45]

Look at the date what was he doing in 1915 on todays date!