Royal Corps of Signals Despatch Rider

[Rob Miller]

I'm calling this cheerful chap a DR because of the boots but similar ones were worn by some non motorcycling Royal Engineers during the First War.

My questions are, are the chequered hose tops or socks a RCOS specific pattern?

And he doesn't appear to be wearing any sort of shoulder titles, could this be early enough to predate them?

As always all comments welcome.

Rob