My Dad's War - from training to the Western Front

2nd Lt William McIntosh and DH6 trainer, known by the pupils as 'The Clutching Hand' (most likely at Yatesbury)

2nd Lt William McIntosh was born in Dundee in 1899 and joined the RFC as a Flight Cadet in 1917. Posted to Netheravon and Yatesbury to train, he gained his Aviator’s Certificate on 24 February 1918, and was posted to the Western Front. There he flew Corps Reconnaissance on RE8 and Bristol Fighter aircraft, taking aerial photos of the German lines and spotting for the artillery. During these sorties his aircraft was protected from enemy fighters by squadrons of single-seat Sopwith Camel or SE5a scouts, and when the enemy attacked the classic ‘dogfight’ would develop. It was during these skirmishes that he and his rear gunner shot down one enemy aircraft apiece, and on one occasion he fired at a white Fokker that flew in front of him, without any apparent effect. The famous German pilot and later leader of the Luftwaffe, Herman Goering, flew a white Fokker. Injured by shell fire on 24 March 1918 trying to take off in a Bristol Fighter during the German advance, his wounds meant that he was posted back to Britain, and became Adjutant of 56 Training Depot Squadron at the new RAF Cranwell, which had been a Naval Air Station until the merging of the Naval and Army air arms which formed the new Royal Air Force. It was during his time in England that he met the ‘Aces’ of the RAF such as James McCudden and Albert Ball. Leaving the RAF in 1919 he became a motor mechanic until he joined the Post Office as an engineer in 1926. It was while working as a linesman that he was posted to Arbroath and then Montrose during the Second World War; although along with other ex RFC pilots he had tried to join up again in 1939, but it was decided his trade in keeping communications open was more important to the war effort. He retired from the Post Office in Montrose in 1963.  

2nd Lt William McIntosh (or friend?) with DH6 and sitting in cockpit of DH6 and Sopwith Camel

RE8 probably at 'The Front'. Note the Vickers machine gun strapped to the side of the fuselage and pilot's telescopic sight. If they keep this up they'll have a Spitfire!

Bristol Fighter probably at 'The Front' but as they say, time and place unknown. The thought occurs, the squadron my dad was on had RE8s and a couple of Bristol Fighters for longer range work, as the machine has no unit markings were all the pictures we see of WW1 aircraft taken because that particular machine had been painted up, and the 'bog standard' machines were ignored except for incidents like this?

Picture allegedly taken during my Dad's time in France. Does anyone know where this might be? It is one of a series of 4 of this area. I have added pointers to what I think are the main interests in it. In the original pic the truck in the middle can be seen to have wavy line camouflage on its canvas cover, so it must be a military area. In one of the other pics a twin-funnel paddle steamer can be seen in the river.