MILITARY HISTORY
Flight Sergeant Marquis Roland Bullock – R 270474 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War II)
Marquis Roland Bullock had wanted to enlist as Air Crew for a long time but family responsibilities held him back. Finally, with his wife’s consent and to fulfill his desire to be in the Royal Canadian Air Force, he went to enlist in August 1943. August 11, 1943 Marquis Roland Bullock’s medical was done in Peterborough, Ontario and it indicated that he was deemed fit for duty with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). August 13, 1943 Marquis Roland Bullock was attested in Peterborough, Ontario for the RCAF, Special Reserve. Marquis was 21 years, 3 weeks old when, as a married man, he enlisted for the duration of the War. He was born in Lakefield Ontario and gave his birth-date as July 23, 1922, he did not have previous Military Reserve experience. Marquis’s previous employment included a Truck Driver for F. S. Coyle [Lakefield] – 1938 to 1939 and as a Tool & Die Maker for the Canadian General Electric Company [Peterborough] – 1939 to 1943. At the time Marquis and his family, consisting of his wife Muriel and two children, lived on Lansdowne St., Peterborough Ontario. Marquis was 5′ 7″ tall, 35″ chest, weighed 128 pounds, had blue eyes and brown hair. It was noted that Marquis had a debt of $35.00, a doctor’s bill and had insurance with London Life. Marquis’s next-of-kin was listed as his wife, Muriel Mary Bullock. Included in the references on his Attestation Paper, were: Foreman, M. Histh; Assistant Foreman, R. Wass; N. McFadden (all from Peterborough) and Rev. G. Kelly from Lakefield. Marquis was enlisted as Standard Air-Crew in the rank of Aircraftman 2nd Class (AC 2) [Private Recruit equivalent] with Service Number R 270474.
On August 13, 1943 AC 2 Bullock was taken-on-strength to the No 11 Recruitment Centre (No 11 RC) at Toronto, Ontario. From August 14 to August 29, 1943 he was placed on leave without pay. On August 29, 1943 he was struck-off-strength from No 11 RC to the No 1 Manning Depot (No 1 MD), Toronto, Ontario with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Special Reserve for basic training. On August 30, 1943 AC 2 Bullock was taken-on-strength with No 1 MD. His basic training at No 1 MD would include taking orders, drill, exercises for physical fitness, studies and endless series of inoculations. AC 2 Bullock did not follow the standard training plan as given in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP).
October 11, 1943 AC 2 Bullock qualified as Air-Crew, Standard Class; the same day he was struck-off-strength from No 1 MD and taken-on-strength with No 23 PHED. AC 2 Bullock did not follow the standard training plan as given in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). He didn’t go through the Initial Training School (ITS) since a lot of aircrews were being lost and there was a dire need for some new recruits to bypass pilot training and proceed directly to other aircrew positions. Since the availability of Air Gunners was low AC 2 Bullock was channeled into that trade. On October 12, 1943 he was struck-off-strength from No 23 PHED and taken-on-strength with 16 “X” Depot, Debert, Nova Scotia. From October 12 to November 26, 1943 AC 2 Bullock received Subsistence Allowance. AC 2 Bullock had attended a 6-week course in Truro, Nova Scotia under the auspices of the War Emergency Training Program (WETP) and passed the course, November 26, 1943. Also, on November 26, 1943 AC 2 Bullock left 16 “X” and joined No 10 Bombing & Gunnery School (No 10 B&GS) at Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island, November 27, 1943. AC 2 Bullock was granted 6 days Christmas Leave with rations and accommodations from December 24 to December 29, 1943.
January 17, 1944 AC 2 Bullock was promoted to the rank of Leading Aircraftman (LAC) [Private Trained equivalent]. Then on February 25, 1944 he was promoted to the rank of Temporary Sergeant (T/Sgt), Group 2 with pay and qualified as Air-Crew Air Gunner, Specialist Class. Also on February 25, 1944 after about 3 months of training T/Sgt Bullock was awarded Air Gunner Group 2 and authorized to wear his Air Gunner’s
Badge and Operations Wings. On February 26, 1944 T/Sgt Bullock was granted 14 days Embarkation Leave with rations and accommodations to March 10, 1944. March 10, 1944 he was struck-off-strength from (No 10 B&GS) at Mount Pleasant to No 3 Aircrew Graduate Training School (3 AGTS) at Trois-Rivièrs Québec for additional training.
On March 11, 1944 Sgt Bullock was taken-on-strength to (3 AGTS). The AGTS was a “Battle School” which taught escape and evasion techniques for aircrew personnel who were shot down and survived well enough to attempt to escape. On April 4, 1944 after completing the 14-day course at No 3 AGTS Trois-Rivièrs Québec he was posted from 3 AGTS to No 1 “Y” Depot, Lachine Québec.* On April 5, 1944, he was taken-on-strength to No 1 “Y” Depot, Lachine Québec, an Overseas Transit Depot. On May 3, 1944 Sgt Bullock was transferred to No 3 RCAF Personnel Reception Centre (3 PRC) and embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia bound for the United Kingdom (UK). On May 10, 1944 he disembarked in the UK and was attached to Int C. 224 from 3 PRC on May 11, 1944. *The 1 “Y” Depot moved from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Lachine Québec in December 1943. Sgt Bullock was granted 7 days Privileged Leave from May 25 to May 31, 1944.
On June 13, 1944 Sgt Bullock was struck-off-strength from PRC and taken-on-strength with No 14 Operational Training Unit (No 14 OTU) in England. In 1944 No 14 OTU was located at Royal Air Force Market Harborough, England. Market Harborough is located within the Harborough district of Leicestershire (88 miles from London). Air crews received training on operational aircraft at the OTUs. Sgt Bullock was granted 10 days Privileged Leave from August 25 to September 3, 1944. After about 4 months of training, on September 4, 1944 he was struck-off-strength from No 14 OTU to 51 Base for support and to 5 Group A/S. Sgt Bullock was attached to 1661 Conversion Unit (CU) from September 11 to October 27, 1944 and then attached to 5 LSF. November 11, 1944 Sgt Bullock was taken-on-strength to 5LFS from 75 Base.
November 23, 1944 – Sgt Bullock, AG was struck-off-strength from 5 LFS to 189 Squadron; Sgt Bullock had been on-strength with 5LFS for training only. From November 23, 1944 to March 4, 1945 Flight Sergeant Bullock was on operational duty with 189 Squadron. On November 25, 1944 Sgt Bullock was promoted in rank to Temporary Flight Sergeant (T/F/Sgt). T/F/Sgt Bullock was granted 7 days Privileged Leave from December 20 to December 26, 1944. F/Sgt Bullock was granted 7 days Privileged Leave from February 7 to February 13, 1945. May 4, 1945 – F/Sgt Bullock, AG was on-strength for training only.
Flight Sergeant Bullock was killed as a result of air operations on March 4, 1945. His aircraft was returning from a raid over Ladberger, Germany, 13 miles North of Hanover, Germany and crashed at East Rudham, Norfolk England. He is interred at Brookwood Military Cemetery, England.
During his time in the Service he allotted a portion of his pay per month to his wife.
From the “Thou Shall Grow Not Old” — A Book Of Remembrance – Thanks to F/Sgt Arnold Graham
BULLOCK, MARQUIS ROLAND Flight Sergeant, Air Gunner R 270474. From Lakefield, Ontario. Killed in Action March 4, 1945 age 22. # 189 Squadron. Target – Ladbergen, Germany. Lancaster aircraft # NG 325 was homeward bound but had been badly damaged by enemy cannon fire. The aircraft crashed near the Rudham Railway Station, Norfolk. Flight Officer Sydney James Reid Pilot J 35563, Flight Officer Thomas Joseph Nelson Navigator R 186352, Flight Sergeant George Frederick Caley Air Gunner R 271098, and three of the crew, not Canadians, were also killed. This was F/S Bullock’s 28th operation. Flight Sergeant Air Gunner Bullock is buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Woking, Surrey, England.
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F/Sgt Bullock was awarded the following medals:
1939 – 45 Star;
France and Germany Star;
Defence Medal;
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Bar; and
War Medal 1939 – 45.
He also qualified for the General Service Badge. In 2013 Canada started to issue a “Bomber Command Bar” for qualified Royal Canadian Air Force aircrew members. This Bar may be received by a qualified family member of deceased Air Crew qualifiers by contacting Veteran’s Affairs Canada.
Marquis Roland Bullock served for 8 months and 20 days in Canada and 10 months in the United Kingdom for a total of 1 year 6 months and 20 days.
P.430054
1st April, 1945
No. 189 Squadron,
Royal Air Force,
Fulbeck, Lincolnshire.
Sir,
F/B. CASUALTY : LOSS OF AIRCRAFT LANCASTER NG325 :
4TH MARCH, 1945.
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1. I have the honour to refer to your communication dated 20th March, 1945, and to submit the following report.
2. Lancaster Aircraft NG325 with crew as follows: –
J. 35563 F/O. S. J. Reid Pilot (Captain)
1891888 Sgt. Benson F. N. F/Engineer
J. 39876 F/O T. J. Nelson Navigator
154682 F/O H. G. Harrison Air Bomber
1432236 F/S McCormack R. W. W/Operator
R. 270474 F/S Bullock M. R. M. U. Gunner
R. 271093 F/S Caley G. F. Rear Gunner
took off from FULBECK at 1837 hours on 3rd March 1945, to attack a target at LADBERGEN, GERMANY.
3. At or about 0010 hours on 4th March 1945, as a result of enemy action, the aircraft crashed near EAST RUDHAM Railway Station NORFOLK — map reference G298453. It was then dark. The aircraft was totally destroyed (Capt E. Burnt) and had been extensively damaged by cannon shells. All members of the crew were killed.
4. It is stated by R.A.F. Station West Raynham, near to which the aircraft crashed and which took reporting action, that the burning wreckage was twice ground strafed by an intruder aircraft within an hour following the crash, and before the fire was under control. Two 500 lb. Bombs was also dropped by intruder aircraft in the near vicinity of the wreck during the night, but these failed to explode.
5. Flying Officer Reid was regarded as an efficient and reliable pilot, and this was his thirteenth sortie on his first operational tour.
I have the honour to be Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Sgd: J. S. Shorthouse
Wing Commander, Commanding, No. 189 Squadron
An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:
The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?
PERSONAL HISTORY
MARQUIS ROLAND BULLOCK
Marquis Roland Bullock was born July 23, 1922 at Lakefield, Ontario, he went by the nickname “Mark”. Marquis Roland Bullock was educated in the Lakefield Public School System from 1927 to 1935. He then attended the Peterborough Collegiate Institute from 1935 to 1938 to learn the Tool & Die Maker trade. Marquis’s hobbies were woodworking; watch and electrical repairs. His interest in sports included hockey, ball, skiing and sailing.
Marquis married Muriel Mary Pellow November 28, 1940 at Peterborough, Ontario. They had two children: Nancy Mary, born July 29, 1941 and Marquis James, born February 13, 1943. On March 20, 1945 the Bullock family lived on Mark Street, Peterborough Ontario.
Marquis Roland Bullock died March 4, 1945 near East Rudham Railway Station and the Royal Air Force Station West Raynham, Norfolk England. His Lancaster crashed as a result of heavy enemy cannon fire. Marquis’s wife was notified of his demise on March 5, 1945 one day after his plane crashed. Marquis left a Royal Canadian Air Force Will; he had $40.04 and War Saving Certificates worth approximately $100.00 in the Royal Bank of Canada in Peterborough
Marquis’s wife, Muriel, received a Ministerial Card March 17, 1945 and a Memorial Cross June 29, 1946. His mother, Charlotte, received a Royal Message July 3, 1945.
THE MARQUIS ROLAND BULLOCK FAMILY OF LAKEFIELD
Marquis Roland’s grandparents were Peter Bullock & Sarah Ann Harris; they lived in Peterborough County, Smith Township, Ontario. Peter, born March 12, 1840, married Sarah Ann Harris, born January 26, 1860 in Ontario West February 19, 1889. They had the following children: Leslie Norman; Peter Gilbert; Rolland James; William Joseph; Edith May (Ada) and Fred S. Peter’s sister Elizabeth, 57 years old, was living with them in 1901.
Marquis Roland’s parents; Roland James Bullock, born July 13, 1894 in Lakefield, Ontario and Charlotte Victoria* Nicholson, born on April 10, 1897 in South Monaghan Township, Ontario were married in the Trinity United Church in Peterborough, Ontario December 31, 1917. The couple moved into a house on Reid Street in Peterborough then moved to Lakefield where they brought up their four children. Roland, was an automobile mechanic. Charlotte and Roland had the following children: Thelma, born about 1919, married Donald F. Toms; Marquis Roland born, July 23, 1922; Isabelle May, born December 26, 1923, married Victor Henderson; born about 1924 and Elizabeth, born about 1928, never married; she stayed at home with her mother.
Roland passed away on January 1, 1963 and Charlotte celebrated her 100th birthday before she passed away on January 11, 1998; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
*Although Marquis mother’s name was given as Violet V. Nicholson on her Marriage Registration, December 31, 1917 her name in the Military Records is given as Victoria Charlotte.