Redford Mulock
Encyclopedia
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.
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
.
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
.
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...
of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and the first in the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
, as well as the highest ranking ace. He was credited with five aerial victories.
Mulock joined the Canadian Field Artillery in 1911. He served with them until early 1915. After transferring to the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
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
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...
on 22 June 1916. In 1917, he was promoted to command of 3 Squadron; in September, he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
. A Bar to his DSO followed in early 1918, along with a promotion to Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
.
After the war, Mulock served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, rising to the rank of Air Commodore
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
by 1935. He then left the military and joined Canadian Airways
Canadian Airways
Canadian Airways was an airline formed when Western Canadian Airways bought out Commercial. It operated through the 1930s until it was purchased by Canadian Pacific Air Lines in 1941, carrying passengers on mail planes into smaller communities.-History:James Armstrong Richardson established WCA in...
.