George William Bulmer

George William Bulmer
Born1 September 1898
Dixon, Illinois, USA
Died5 April 1987(1987-04-05) (aged 88)
San Diego, California, USA
AllegianceCanadian
Service / branchRoyal Flying Corps
RankCaptain
UnitNo. 22 Squadron RAF
AwardsMilitary Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross

Captain George William Bulmer (1 September 1898 – 5 April 1987) was an American-born Canadian flying ace in World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.

Early life

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George William Bulmer was born in Dixon, Illinois, USA on 1 September 1898. His parents were British.[1] He worked as an accountant before enlisting in the Royal Air Force in Toronto, Canada[2] in 1917.[3]

World War I

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By early 1918, Bulmer had completed training and been posted to 22 Squadron. He scored his first aerial victory on 6 March 1918, and continued to win through 9 July 1918. His exploits earned him a Military Cross, which was gazetted on 16 September 1918:

....In recent operations he destroyed seven enemy machines and an observation balloon. By his tenacity and zeal he set a magnificent example in his squadron.[4]

List of aerial victories

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No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location Notes
1 6 March 1918 @ 1115 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter serial number C4810 Pfalz D.III Driven down out of control East of La Bassée Gunner: 2 Lt S J Hunter
2 16 March 1918 @ 1030 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4810 Pfalz D.III Driven down out of control Henin-Lietard Gunner: 2 Lt Percy Stanley Williams
3 16 March 1918 @ 1030 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4810 Pfalz D.III Driven down out of control Henin Lietard Gunner: 2 Lt Percy Stanley Williams
4 23 March 1918 @ 1100 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n A7251 Albatros D.V Destroyed Bussy Gunner: 2 Lt Percy Stanley Williams
5 6 May 1918 @ 1025 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4888 Pfalz D.III Driven down out of control Fresnoy Gunner: Lt H E Elsworth
6 8 May 1918 @ 1015 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4888 Pfalz D.III Destroyed Brebieres Gunner: 2 Lt Percy Stanley Williams
7 16 May 1918 @ 1045 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4888 Observation balloon Destroyed A mile northeast of Neuf-Berquin Gunner: 2 Lt Percy Stanley Williams
8 17 May 1918 @ 1200 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4888 German reconnaissance plane Destroyed Southeast of Douai Gunner: 2 Lt Percy Stanley Williams
9 9 July 1918 @ 1100 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4888 German reconnaissance plane Set afire; destroyed North of Bois-de-Phalempin Gunner: James McDonald[3]

Post World War I

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There is no reliable account of his later years, although it is known that he died in San Diego, California, USA on 5 April 1987.[3]

Endnotes

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  1. ^ Franks et al, p. 92.
  2. ^ Canadian Great War Project website http://canadiangreatwarproject.com/Searches/soldierDetail.asp?ID=97441 Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "George William Bulmer". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  4. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918, p. 10928) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30901/supplements/10928 Retrieved 30 June 1918.

References

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  • Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell F. & Alegi, Gregory (1997). Above the War Fronts: The British Two-seater Bomber Pilot and Observer Aces, the British Two-seater Fighter Observer Aces, and the Belgian, Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Fighter Aces, 1914–1918. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-898697-56-5.