Acheson Goulding

Group Captain Acheson Gosford Goulding (16 May 1893 – 27 April 1951) was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with 21 aerial victories. After infantry service, he transferred to aviation and served in Asia Minor and the Balkans. After winning the Military Cross for courage, he returned to civilian life. He gave up a business career to return to service for World War II as a Group Captain. *aerial victories source: Manitoba Historical Society.

Early life Goulding was born at Stony Mountain, Manitoba, Canada, on 16 May 1893. Goulding was educated at St. John's College and the University of Manitoba at Winnipeg. His enlistment form for World War I service still exists. On the form, he named Gwendolyn Marie Goulding as his next of kin, gave his civilian occupation as clerk, and his home of record as Winnipeg. His physical examination measured him as 5 feet 8 1/2 inches tall, and described him as having a medium complexion, with blue eyes and brown hair. He swore allegiance to King George V and joined the 28th (Northwest) Battalion, CEF on 14 December 1914. He was commissioned on 29 June 1916, and seconded to the RFC on 18 September 1916. His joining date for 17 Squadron was in February 1917;

Goulding's squadron was tasked with supporting British troops opposing Bulgarian troops in Macedonia. In May 1917, he was one of two pilots who bombed a Bulgarian supply train of 26 wagons, stampeding the draught horses and smashing military supplies. he had flown many ground support and reconnaissance missions, but had no success on combat patrols He scored four more wins in May and June 1918.

On 21 September 1918, Goulding was awarded the French Croix de Guerre.

List of aerial victories See also Aerial victory standards of World War I No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location