James Raines SE5a pilot?

[Exraafy]

This is a question that has puzzled me for many years, was James Raines a SE5a pilot that crashed in France?
Let me explain, James Raines was my school teacher in Australia in 1957 (primary school ) and he wore a hearing aid, which consisted of a box the size of a large cigarette packet in his shirt pocket with a large earpiece connected to it with a cable. As kids we asked what it was and how he had got it, the story he told us was that he crashed his SE5 behind British lines after being hit with AA fire. He said he woke up in a British hospital with head injuries, spent along time in hospital and never flew again.
What I am trying to find out is the story fact or fiction and if so was he in the RFC or the AFC. It appears his son served in the RAAF during WW2.
Would anyone know where I should start a search, most Australian gov. files require payment or cannot tell me as I am not family.