Are these RAF uniforms?

[Rodion]

Hello! I need some information concerning the following picture: http://flightsimmers.net/helipad/jack/jth2.jpg The person standing up is my friend's grandpa, James Thomas Hannen. According to my friend, his grandpa was a 2-seater observer/recon aircraft/bomber pilot (he can't recall the type of aeroplane his grandpa flew). But I believe he was taken into the RFC later in the war because as his dogtag shows: http://flightsimmers.net/helipad/jack/James%20Thomas%20Hannen%20RAF%20%20dogtag.jpg ...he was with the RAF when RFC became RAF. So again, are those RAF uniforms? BTW according to my friend, his granddad was a Military Engineer (naval) before he became pilot. Any information would be of great help! Thanks! -RODION

[Michael Skeet]

The standing man appears to be wearing an RFC "maternity" jacket, the uniform assigned to direct-entry members of the Corps. If your friend's grandfather joined rather than being seconded from an Army unit, this is likely the uniform he'd have worn. Those seconded from Army units wore their regimental dress, as per the sitting man in the photo.

[Gordon]

The bloke sitting down is an Aussie I think. The collar badges appear to be the 'Rising Sun' Badge and he has slouch hat in his hand.

Could this photo be in the Middle East? The colour patch on the sitting man's shoulder appears to be a Light Horse patch (evidenced by the diagonal colour separation).

What's the Australian connection?

[Hylton]

As already pointed out in the first reply to your question, the person standing up is wearing a Royal Flying Corps jacket. This style of tunic was known as the “Maternity” jacket. The fact that it is fitted with shoulder straps indicates that the photo was taken after June 1914. This style was then worn throughout the remaining period that the RFC existed, up to their integration on 1st April 1918 into the newly formed Royal Air Force. Shortages of resources in fact resulted in some men continuing to wear their Maternity jackets well into 1919. You say that your friend’s granddad was an Observer or Pilot at some point in his career. It has to be said at the time that the photograph was taken, he had not achieved either of those accolades, as he would have been wearing on his left chest one of the two distinctive badges that denoted those qualifications.
Additionally it is to be noted that the number on the dogtags (63356) was not allocated until Feb / March 1917.
I hope this helps a little. Hylton.

[Rodion]

Michael Skeet said:

"The standing man appears to be wearing an RFC "maternity" jacket, the uniform assigned to direct-entry members of the Corps. If your friend's grandfather joined rather than being seconded from an Army unit, this is likely the uniform he'd have worn. Those seconded from Army units wore their regimental dress, as per the sitting man in the photo."

Thanks for the info Mr. Skeet. Jack (my friend) will surely appreciate this. ;)

-RODION

[Rodion]

Thank you for the information! I don't know if the person sitting down is an Australian. I have to ask my friend. Thanks again! And I also don't know if his grandfather was assigned in the Middle East because all I know is he got shot down by Albatroses while flying a 2-seater towards the end of the war.

-RODION

[Rodion]

Hylton said:

"As already pointed out in the first reply to your question, the person standing up is wearing a Royal Flying Corps jacket. This style of tunic was known as the “Maternity” jacket. The fact that it is fitted with shoulder straps indicates that the photo was taken after June 1914. This style was then worn throughout the remaining period that the RFC existed, up to their integration on 1st April 1918 into the newly formed Royal Air Force. Shortages of resources in fact resulted in some men continuing to wear their Maternity jackets well into 1919. You say that your friend’s granddad was an Observer or Pilot at some point in his career. It has to be said at the time that the photograph was taken, he had not achieved either of those accolades, as he would have been wearing on his left chest one of the two distinctive badges that denoted those qualifications.
Additionally it is to be noted that the number on the dogtags (63356) was not allocated until Feb / March 1917.
I hope this helps a little. Hylton."

It certainly helps a lot, kind sirs! Thanks for all the information you posted here. My friend Jack will truly be grateful for this. ;)

-RODION