I've marked on the above that David R. Baston joined the RAF in 1918. This is certain, a document has survived, his RAF Officers papers. It contains very little information but does confirm the Panhaven Road address. It also shows he was employed by Broomhill Collieries as a Coal Teamer Sept 1916 - Aug 1917.
So what was he doing Sept 1917-May 1918 just before he joined the RAF? Interesting. The existence of the medals to D.R. Baston Northumberland Fusiliers could suggest he joined the Army, but perhaps was discharged under age, although he must have made it to a war zone.
I don't know how long he remained in the RAF, but I don't think he was sent to an operational unit overseas during WW1 as there is no reference on his papers to operational service, just training. Nor does it give a discharge date.
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