Philip F. Fullard facts for kids

Air Commodore Philip Fletcher Fullard (27 May 1897 – 24 April 1984) was an amazing English First World War flying ace. He was one of the most successful fighter pilots in the Royal Flying Corps. People knew him as a fantastic leader in combat.

Fullard achieved 40 confirmed victories, meaning he shot down 40 enemy aircraft. This made him the top-scoring ace of World War I who flew Nieuport planes. Overall, he was the 6th highest-scoring British pilot and the 2nd highest to survive the war.

Early Life and Sports

Philip Fullard was born in Wimbledon, Surrey. His father was Thomas Fletcher Fullard. Philip went to Norwich Grammar School. He was a very good sportsman there. He was even the captain of his school's hockey and football teams.

It is said that he played football for Norwich City Football Club's reserve team. He supposedly played as a centre half while still in school. However, the club has no official record of this.

Military Adventures

Joining the Royal Flying Corps

In 1915, Fullard joined a special army training group called the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps. He did very well in his exams. He was offered a position in the Royal Irish Fusiliers, but then he was chosen for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The RFC was the air force of Britain during World War I.

On August 5, 1916, he officially became a temporary second lieutenant in the RFC. He trained at several places, learning how to fly. He flew solo after only three hours of flight time! Because he was such an excellent pilot, he first stayed on as an instructor. But in May 1917, he was sent to France to join No. 1 Squadron RFC.

Philip Fullard in hospital, 1918

World War I Combat

Fullard flew different types of Nieuport Scout planes during his time in combat. He steadily gained victories over six months. He got his first two victories in May 1917. Then he scored five more in June. On June 19, he was made a flight commander and became a temporary captain.

In this new role, he achieved even more victories. He got eight in July and twelve in August. In September, he hurt his eye while flying. This made him temporarily blind and he couldn't fly for most of that month.

Fullard received the Military Cross and a Bar to it in September 1917. Both awards were announced at the same time. He recovered and scored eleven more wins in October. He added two more in November, including shooting down the German ace Leutnant Hans Hoyer. He was also given the Distinguished Service Order.

Just two days after his 40th victory, he broke his leg badly. This happened during a soccer match between his squadron and an infantry group. He did not return to flying duty until near the end of the war. On September 24, 1918, he was made an acting major.

During his active service, Fullard once shot down four German planes in a single day. Another time, he and another pilot shot down seven enemy aircraft before breakfast! Fullard was responsible for three of those. Also, for three months, Fullard's flight (a group of six pilots) shot down more enemy planes than any other group in France. They did this without losing a single pilot. In one fight, his flying goggles were shot off his face. Some flares in his plane also caught fire, setting part of his aircraft ablaze. But he still managed to fly back to the British lines safely.

It's interesting that he achieved all his victories flying different versions of the Nieuport 17 design. This made him the most successful Nieuport pilot of the war.

Between the Wars

After the war, on June 3, 1919, Fullard received the Air Force Cross. On August 1, he was given a permanent position in the RAF as a captain. He took some time off before returning to duty.

In December 1919, he became a flight commander with No. 12 Squadron in Germany. In March 1920, he received the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He briefly led No. 12 Squadron before it was disbanded. Then he returned to England to work with No. 4 Squadron.

Fullard continued his career in the RAF, taking advanced courses and working in different departments. He served in RAF Iraq Command and was promoted to squadron leader in October 1929. He also commanded No. 2 (Army Co-operation) Squadron for a period.

He then went to India and attended the Staff College. In July 1935, he took command of No. 5 (Army Co-operation) Squadron. His squadron took part in the 2nd Mohmand campaign against rebellious tribes. On January 1, 1936, he was promoted to wing commander. He received a mention in despatches for his brave service in the Mohmand operations.

World War II Service

During the Second World War, Fullard commanded No. 14 (Fighter) Group in France. This was part of the British Expeditionary Force. He led this group from January 1940 until it was disbanded in June, after the battle of France.

Later, he worked at the headquarters of No. 10 (Fighter) Group. On January 1, 1941, Fullard was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). On March 1, he was promoted to temporary air commodore. He continued to serve in important roles at RAF Fighter Command Headquarters and commanded No. 246 (Special Operations) Group.

Life After the Military

Philip Fullard retired from the RAF on November 20, 1946, when he was 49 years old. After leaving the military, he became the chairman of several engineering companies.

In 1978, when he was 81, he was interviewed by Peter Liddle. His memories became part of a book published in 2011.

Fullard passed away in a hospital in Broadstairs, Kent, England, on April 24, 1984. He was almost 87 years old. At the time of his death, he was the highest-scoring living British ace. After Donald MacLaren, he was also the highest-scoring living ace of World War I overall.

See also

• List of World War I aces credited with 20 or more victories

Images for kids

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  Philip Fullard in hospital, 1918