George William Bulmer

George William Bulmer
Born	1 September 1898 Dixon, Illinois, USA
Died	5 April 1987(1987-04-05) (aged 88) San Diego, California, USA
Allegiance	Canadian
Service / branch	Royal Flying Corps
Rank	Captain
Unit	No. 22 Squadron RAF
Awards	Military 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

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

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

See also: Aerial victory standards of World War I

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

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

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. "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

• 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.