Re: photo needed - Pilot - P/O Herbert James Bullmore RAAF (402045)

[Danny152]

Hello all,

Trying to find a photo of this chap.

Pilot - P/O Herbert James Bullmore RAAF (402045).

Herbert Bullmore was born on 29th June 1918 at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He enlisted for RAAF service on 29th April 1940 at Sydney and after training was awarded his Wings on 23rd September 1940. He was granted a commission on 19th November 1940. Following training at 54 OTU he served with 23 Squadron. In March 1942 he was posted back to Australia and in June 1942 he was posted to 22 Squadron. On 29th November 1942 while serving with 22 Squadron he was flying Boston A28-20 which was reported as missing between Port Moresby and Gona Mission to attack Japanese positions there. The aircraft exploded as it released its bomb load and it fell into shallow water just off shore. He is buried in Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea. He is also commemorated by a memorial within the St.James Church at Belltrees, New South Wales.

His father was Herbert Henry Bullmore MB ChB Edin MRCPE FRACP. His sister was the mother of Australian media figure Kerry Packer.

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

You will find a photograph of Herbert James Bullmore, here:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C26257

Cause of loss of Boston A28-20:

During this month (November 1942), the squadron (No.22 Sqn RAAF), had the misfortune to lose three of its most experienced pilots and crew, one prior to commencing operations and the other two in the course of operations. On 10 November, A28-12, whilst engaged in practice bombing on the Moresby wreck, blew up in mid-air. The three members of the crew, Flight Lieutenant V. W. Morgan, Flying Officer J. H. Borland and Sergeant R. T. Power were killed. On 26 November, while attacking the Buna Strip, A28-22 blew up while on its bombing run with the loss of Squadron Leader K. R. McDonald, Flying Officer T. E. O'Neill and Sergeant C. R. Napier. On the same operation, Sergeant R. Hatherly was wounded in the arm. The third loss was sustained in an attack on Gona Mission when A28-20 blew up in similar circumstances, resulting in the death of Flight Lieutenant H. J. Bullmore and Sergeants J. W. McKay and I. C. Stodart. The cause of the losses was believed to be connected with the use of light fragmentation bombs which apparently blew back along the fuselage, striking it and causing the disastrous in-flight explosions.

Following the loss of A28-20, the carrying of such bombs was discontinued.

See:
"Frend Bilong Australia Tru" The Douglas Boston in RAAF Service
Byk,Gary
Melbourne:Red Roo Models,2000.
p.24 (with corrections), (see also Annex 1 (pp.103-4), for a detailed discussion on this phenomenon).

and ... http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137367846

Col.

[Danny152]

Col,

Thought you would come up trumps mate!

Cheers

Danny