Redford Henry Mulock
Redford Henry Mulock | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Red |
Born |
11 August 1886 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
Died | 23 January 1961 |
Allegiance | George V of the British Empire |
Service/branch |
Canadian Army Royal Naval Air Service Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1911 - 1935 |
Rank | Air Commodore |
Unit |
13th Field Battery of Winnipeg No. 1 Wing RAF |
Commands held | No. 3 Squadron RNAS |
Awards | Distinguished Service Order with Bar, French Legion d'Honneur, French Croix de Guerre, Mentioned in Dispatches |
Colonel Redford Henry Mulock was the first Canadian flying ace of World War I and the first in the Royal Naval Air Service, as well as the highest ranking ace. He was credited with five aerial victories.[1]
Mulock joined the Canadian Field Artillery in 1911. He served with them until early 1915. After transferring to the Royal Naval Air Service and undergoing pilot training, he was posted to 1 Wing. Although he first saw combat in July 1915, he did not score his first win until 30 December. He then scored on 24 and 26 January 1916, and twice on 21 May 1916. Four of the victories were of the "out of control" variety; the other was "forced to land".
Mulock received a Distinguished Service Order on 22 June 1916. In 1917, he was promoted to command of 3 Squadron; in September, he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. A Bar to his DSO followed in early 1918, along with a promotion to Wing Commander.[2]
After the war, Mulock served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, rising to the rank of Air Commodore by 1935. He then left the military and joined Canadian Airways.[3]
Sources of information
- ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/mulock.php Retrieved 8 February 2010.
- ↑ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 287.
- ↑ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 287.
References
Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.
Shorty - An Aviation Pioneer: The Story of Victor John Hatton. James Glassco Henderson. Trafford Publishing 2004. ISBN 1-4120-3897-9.
Courage in the Air. Arthur Bishop. McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. 1992. ISBN 0-07-551376-5.