Philip F. Fullard
Encyclopedia
Air Commodore Philip Fletcher Fullard CBE
, DSO
, MC and Bar
, AFC
(27 May 1897 – 24 April 1984) was an English First World War flying ace
, and was one of the most successful fighter pilots of the Royal Flying Corps
. He was the top scoring UK ace to fly Nieuports, scoring 40 victories, and had a reputation as a superb combat leader.
, Fullard was a gifted sportsman at school, captaining the school hockey and football teams. He subsequently became a reserve team player (playing Centre Half) at Norwich City Football Club.
Officer Training Corps in 1915. Fullard enlisted as an Army officer in the British Army in 1915, initially with the Royal Irish Fusiliers
. Learning to fly at his own expense, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
later that year. After training at the School of Aeronautics in Oxford and at Netheravon
and Upavon
, Fullard received his pilot's certificate in December 1916. Fullard soloed after only three hours flying time. On account of his exceptional flying ability, Fullard was initially retained as an instructor but eventually joined No. 1 Squadron, RFC
, in May 1917.
Flying various models of Nieuport
Scouts
s throughout his combat career, Fullard scored steadily over the next six months. He opened his victory log with two victories in May, followed by five in June, eight in July, and twelve in August. In September, Fullard damaged blood vessels in an eye while flying, resulting in temporary blindness that grounded him for much of the month. He recovered, to score eleven wins in October, and two in November.
Two days after his 40th victory he suffered a compound fracture of the leg in an soccer match between his squadron and an infantry battalion. He did not return to duty until near the end of the war.
Besides his three gallantry awards, he had two further recommendations. One of these was for the Victoria Cross
to command the only squadron attached to the Army of Occupation
in Germany.
He later commanded No. 2 Squadron RAF
, in 1933, and No. 5 Squadron RAF
beginning in July 1935.
. His later military service during the war included a period as Duty Air Commodore at HQ Fighter Command
and Air Officer Commanding, No. 246 Group.
At the age of 81, he was recorded for the Liddle Collection
.
He died, aged 86, in a hospital at Broadstairs
in Kent, England.
, Military Cross
and bar, Air Force Cross
, and was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
.
Military Cross
Bar to MIlitary Cross
His determination and fine offensive spirit have in almost every instance resulted in disaster to the enemy."
Distinguished Service Order
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As a patrol leader and scout pilot he is without equal. The moral effect of his presence in a patrol is most marked. He has now accounted for fourteen machines destroyed and eighteen driven down out of control in a little over four months."
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, MC and Bar
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, AFC
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
(27 May 1897 – 24 April 1984) was an English First World War flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
, and was one of the most successful fighter pilots of the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
. He was the top scoring UK ace to fly Nieuports, scoring 40 victories, and had a reputation as a superb combat leader.
Background
Born on 27 May 1897 in Wimbledon, Surrey and educated at King Edward VI school, NorwichNorwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, Fullard was a gifted sportsman at school, captaining the school hockey and football teams. He subsequently became a reserve team player (playing Centre Half) at Norwich City Football Club.
First World War
Fullard joined the Inns of CourtInns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. All such barristers must belong to one such association. They have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. The Inns also provide libraries, dining facilities and professional...
Officer Training Corps in 1915. Fullard enlisted as an Army officer in the British Army in 1915, initially with the Royal Irish Fusiliers
Royal Irish Fusiliers
The Royal Irish Fusiliers was an Irish infantry regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation of the 87th Regiment of Foot and the 89th Regiment of Foot in 1881. The regiment's first title in 1881 was Princess Victoria's , changed in 1920 to The Royal Irish Fusiliers...
. Learning to fly at his own expense, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
later that year. After training at the School of Aeronautics in Oxford and at Netheravon
Netheravon
Netheravon is a village and civil parish on the River Avon, about north of the town of Amesbury in Wiltshire.-Notable people:The writer Frank Sawyer , although born in Bulford, spent most of his life in Netheravon as river keeper River Avon and died on the banks of the river near the parish church...
and Upavon
Upavon
Upavon is a rural village in the English County of Wiltshire, England. As its name suggests, it is on the upper portions of the River Avon which runs from the north to the south through the village. It is situated about south of Pewsey, about southeast of the market town of Devizes, and about ...
, Fullard received his pilot's certificate in December 1916. Fullard soloed after only three hours flying time. On account of his exceptional flying ability, Fullard was initially retained as an instructor but eventually joined No. 1 Squadron, RFC
No. 1 Squadron RAF
No. 1 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It operated the Harrier GR9 from RAF Cottesmore until 28 January 2011.The squadron motto is In omnibus princeps , appropriate for the RAF's oldest squadron and one that has been involved in almost every major British military operation since...
, in May 1917.
Flying various models of Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
Scouts
Scout (aircraft)
The term scout, as a description of a class of military aircraft, came into use shortly before the First World War, and referred to a light reconnaissance aircraft, initially unarmed. "Scout" types were generally adaptations of pre-war racing aircraft – although at least one was specifically...
s throughout his combat career, Fullard scored steadily over the next six months. He opened his victory log with two victories in May, followed by five in June, eight in July, and twelve in August. In September, Fullard damaged blood vessels in an eye while flying, resulting in temporary blindness that grounded him for much of the month. He recovered, to score eleven wins in October, and two in November.
Two days after his 40th victory he suffered a compound fracture of the leg in an soccer match between his squadron and an infantry battalion. He did not return to duty until near the end of the war.
Besides his three gallantry awards, he had two further recommendations. One of these was for the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
Inter war years
Fullard remained in the Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
to command the only squadron attached to the Army of Occupation
British Army of the Rhine
There have been two formations named British Army of the Rhine . Both were originally occupation forces in Germany, one after the First World War, and the other after the Second World War.-1919–1929:...
in Germany.
He later commanded No. 2 Squadron RAF
No. 2 Squadron RAF
No. 2 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is currently one of two RAF squadrons operating in the reconnaissance role with the Tornado GR4A and GR4 and is based at RAF Marham, Norfolk.No. II Squadron holds claim to being "the oldest heavier-than-air flying machine squadron in the world", along with No...
, in 1933, and No. 5 Squadron RAF
No. 5 Squadron RAF
No. 5 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the operator of the new Sentinel R1 Airborne STand-Off Radar aircraft and is based at RAF Waddington.-History:As No...
beginning in July 1935.
Second World War
At the outbreak of Second World War, Fullard was given command of No. 14 (Fighter) GroupNo. 14 Group RAF
No. 14 Group RAF was first formed on 1 April 1918 by the redesignation of Milford Haven Anti-Submarine Group. On 8 May it was transferred to Midland Area, and it was disbanded on 19 May 1919....
. His later military service during the war included a period as Duty Air Commodore at HQ Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command was one of three functional commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War, gaining recognition in the Battle of Britain. The Command continued until 17 November 1943, when...
and Air Officer Commanding, No. 246 Group.
Post military life
He eventually retired on 20 November 1946 at the age of 49.At the age of 81, he was recorded for the Liddle Collection
Peter Liddle
Dr. Peter Liddle, F.R.Hist.S. is a historian and author specialising in the study of the First and Second World Wars.While teaching and lecturing during the 1960s, Liddle began collecting historical memorabilia in order to bring history to life for students. He founded the Liddle Collection which...
.
He died, aged 86, in a hospital at Broadstairs
Broadstairs
Broadstairs is a coastal town on the Isle of Thanet in the Thanet district of east Kent, England, about south-east of London. It is part of the civil parish of Broadstairs and St Peter's, which includes St. Peter's and had a population in 2001 of about 24,000. Situated between Margate and...
in Kent, England.
Achievements and awards
Fullard's 40 victories consisted of one shared aircraft captured, 15 aircraft destroyed and 22 'out of control', including two shared. He held the Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
and bar, Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
, and was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
.
Military Cross
- "T./2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Philip Fletcher Fullard, Gen. List and R.F.C.
- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when engaged in aerial combat. He has on four occasions attacked and destroyed enemy aircraft, and has in addition engaged in 25 indecisive combats, in which he has shown fine leadership, great dash and determination to close with the enemy."
Bar to MIlitary Cross
- "Temp. Capt. Philip Fletcher Fullard, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.
- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has on many occasions displayed the utmost dash and fearlessness in attacking enemy aircraft at close range and in destroying at least eight hostile machines during a period of about ten days.
His determination and fine offensive spirit have in almost every instance resulted in disaster to the enemy."
Distinguished Service Order
- "T./Capt. Philip Fletcher Fullard, M.C., Gen. List & R.F.C.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As a patrol leader and scout pilot he is without equal. The moral effect of his presence in a patrol is most marked. He has now accounted for fourteen machines destroyed and eighteen driven down out of control in a little over four months."