A fascinating photo album of the life and times of a First World War pilot has revealed how navy officers first took to the skies over 100 years ago.
The rare collection was put together by Captain Denis Carey who was based at RAF Delting, near Maidstone, Kent, and provides a fascinating insight into the air arm of the Royal Navy between from 1914 and beyond.
His pictures show the early sea planes that searched the English Channel and the North Sea for U-boats.
A photo album from over 100 years ago has revealed what life was like for officers in the air arm of the Royal Navy during the First World War. The pictures were complied by Captain Denis Carey (pictured)
Captain Carey, of RAF Delting near Maidstone in Kent, flew this DH 27 Rolls Royce Condor plane during his service
One of his images shows a plane crash near the Walnut Tree pub in Ditton, Kent. None of the crew were seriously injured, but one member suffered a broken nose. The plane landed in a field and came to a halt at a hedge
Before techniques were developed for taking off and landing on ships, the navy had to use sea planes to be able to operate at sea.
They gave the navy a great advantage in the days before radar as they could fly ahead of a fleet looking out for enemy ships and submarines.
One image shows Captain Carey dressed smartly in his uniform, while another captures him letting his hair down on a motorbike.
Captain Denis Carey is pictured letting his hair down while off duty riding a Zenith motorbike
There is also one of a group of airmen perched on the front of a Felixstowe, a flying boat which was introduced in 1917.
The First World War was a landmark period for women serving in the forces, which can be seen in Captain Carey’s group photo of female army, navy and air force personnel in uniform at the sea plane base at Isle of Grain, north Kent, in 1918.
The captain also included pictures of his family relaxing at a garden party and some of his fellow airmen.
The images are due to be auctioned in Kent tomorrow and are expected to sell for around £500
Captain Carey is pictured in control of a Felixstowe flying boat, which was first introduced to the armed forces in 1917
A dramatic image also documents a plane crash in a field in Larkfield, Kent.
Miraculously, none of the aircrew were seriously injured, but one unlucky member did suffer a broken nose.
Conveniently, they came down next to a pub, which made it easy to get a swift drink to calm their nerves.
Captain Carey continued to serve in the RAF after the war until 1936 and flew more than 80 different types of aircraft.
Flying boats like the Felixstowe were used before planes could take off and land on boats and skimmed the water for enemy ships and submarines
Here Captain Carey and his crew are pictured posing on their Felixstowe flying boat before it was put to use at sea
This flying boat was recovered after crash landing at sea. They were used before planes could land on ships to scan the waters
His album was recently discovered in a house clearance in Kent and is tipped to sell for £500 at auction.
Matthew Tredwen, specialist at C & T Auctioneers, of Ashford, which is putting the album up for auction tomorrow, said: ‘We believe Captain Carey was probably from the home defence squadron and was based in Kent.
‘Most of the photos were taken during the war but there are some in its immediate aftermath.
Pictured is a Fairey biplane after it crashed near a navy shed. This is one of the fascinating images that make up Captain Carey’s collection unearthed after 100 years
‘The Royal Naval Air Service mainly focused on home defence so it doesn’t get as much of the limelight as the Royal Flying Corps.
‘Therefore it is quite unusual to find a photo album showcasing them and the interesting early sea planes.’
At the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, the Royal Naval Air Service had just 93 aircraft, six airships, two balloons and 727 personnel.
They carried out fleet reconnaissance and patrolled coasts for enemy ships and submarines.
In 1917 alone, they sighted 175 U-boats and attacked 107 of them.
By the time the Royal Naval Air Service merged with the Royal Flying Corps on April 1, 1918, to form the Royal Air Force, the navy’s air service had swelled to 55,066 men, 2,949 aircraft, 103 airships and 126 coastal stations.
The First World War was a key milestone for women. Pictured are navy, army and air force personnel in their uniforms
Other images show Captain Denis Carey letting his hair down with his friends and family while off duty
Some of the images were taken after the war, when Captain Carey served until 1936, flying 80 different types of plane