The follwoing information was sourced from the Aerodrome website, posted by Gordon Lacy.

Gordon: Hi All. Just wondering if anyone can tell me if the number that appears on the side of the RE8 in this picture underneath the machine gun has any significance? The photo is of my grandfather Arthur Ord Lacy standing beside what is undoubtedly an RE8 that he flew. The year is somewhere between Oct 1917 and June 1918. Gordon...

Colin A Owers: It looks like a presentation machine. The "No.2" can be read.

Gordon: Hi Colin. what is a presentation machine may I ask? Also when examined closely the number under the machine gun looks like it could be BAXODA with a No2 underneath. The DA at the end is definite (it is clear in a different photo), and the B I have 90% confidence in. Gordon

Rexee: Hello Gordon - In World War One, the public was encouraged to make donations for aircraft and the war effort as a "morale" boost for the citizens to feel personally involved in combating the enemy. It was very popular in Great Britain. In turn, aircraft "purchased" this way by towns ,cities, communities, companies or just wealthy individuals were marked with the name of the donor .Some 900 "presentation" aircraft of all types have been traced indicating the magnitude of the scheme and its popularity. Great picture of your Grandfather! Regards Rex

rsanz: It's very likely to be "Baroda No.2". According to Cross & Cockade Great Britain Journal Vol.14 No.2 1983 the following RE8 were called "Baroda No.2";

The 1st RE.8 called Baroda No.2; RE.8 A4753 9 Sqn, struck off at the end of Sept 1917.
then replaced with; RE.8 C5038, 59 Sqn struck off after March 1918.

Additional Baroda No.2 were intended but did not eventuate until January 1919. So, if it is "Baroda No.2" then the 59 Sqn RE.8 C5038 is most likely the aircraft in the photo with your grandfather.

jim: Did something happen in June 1918 to make that the latest date? If he was still with the squadron at the end of the war, many units did not disband until several months after November, 1918 and if he was still there it could also be the January 1919 machine.

Gordon: Hi Jim. No Arthur O Lacy was back in England by June 1918 in the hospital. I have no (family) knowledge of an injury so wonder if it wasn't nerves. He was discharged after a month, then went to ground duty. Arthur was also shot down in mid March 1918, but managed to land, repair the plane, then get back to the base. I wonder if this incident was the one that 'struck off' the plane?
Gordon

Team Stewart: Would June have been too early for the flu epidemic of that year? That's just what crossed my mind.

Gordon: Hi Team Stewart. It is possible. The Spanish flu was responsible for about 10 deaths per 1000 in June of 1918 in Paris, but the peak was much later on into October.

minimax: Sorry to join this a bit late - It's 'Baroda No.2' Four RE8 aircraft bore this name:A4753, C2604, C5038 and E1226 A4753 served only with 9Sq and was SOC 30.9.17 C2604 was delivered June 1918. I don't have a squadron (maybe Mick Davis can help) Certainly it was not with 59Sq before the end of September 1918. It was SOC 2.10.18 but reconstructed with a new number H7183 C5038 went to France in Nov 1917 and later to 59Sq and was SOC 1.4.18 E1226 was due to be allotted in Jan 1919 but was SOC instead So, looks like C5038 is your man ...

(left-right) Frank Naylor - Macpherson - Arnold Lacy (photo from Gordon Lacy)