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In my database of officers and other ranks who served, however briefly, at Castle Bromwich aerodrome during WW1, I have 17434 Harold John Ardley who was posted from the Recruits Depot to No.55 Squadron on 16/6/16, a unit that was just beginning to form up at this date. This information comes from The National Archive - Ref:- Air1/1307/204/11/193. I have also transcribed his service record from Ref:- Air 79/195. The service records for the other ranks are sparse indeed - no further information until 1/4/18 - but I don't think he stayed with No.55 Sq. when it moved to Lilbourne, but rather stayed at Castle Bromwich, most likely with resident training unit No.5 Reserve Squadron.
When an aircraft had been repaired after a mishap it was customary for either rigger or fitter to accompany a pilot on a test flight. The Pilot's Flying Logbook of G.N.Wilton records a passenger named Ardley a number of times during early 1917.