Could any one help me with the story of this RAF swagger stick

[Paul in the Somme]

This swagger stick belongs to a French friends father.

The inscription reads:

France              RAF                  Salonica

 

            PER ARDUA AD ASTRA

 

PRESENTED TO THOMAS DOWSETT

 

       BY LIEUT T. DOWSETT D F M

 

I am assuming that the latter Dowsett is 2834 who joined the  RFC in 09/01/1915 and got the DFM in Salonica and who was gazetted on 7/2/1919.

If anyone could suggest who the other Dowsett is I would be very grateful. I include 2 photos.