Danish WW2 Pilots

LAC John George Ulrik

(1925 - n.a. )

John George Ulrik is trained as pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War. He never flyes operationally. He is born in Denmark, but American citizen when finally enlisting in 1944.

John (or Jørgen) Georg Ulrik is born on 22 July 1925 in Aarhus, Denmark. His is – by adoption – the son of Johannes (or John) Georg (1888-1945) and Asta Ulrich (née Poulsen) (1899-1956). [1]

Family Background

On 8 June 1910 the father arrives in the US and the following eight years he resides in Cleveland and Hamilton, Ohio. He is naturalised as US Citizen on 7 June 1916 at Camp Greene, North Carolina. He enlists in the National Guard on 12 July 1917 in Hamilton, Ohio (2397509). He is part of the American Expeditionary Forces from 9 July 1918 to discharge on 19 June 1919. The father changes his family name from Ulrich to Ulrik while in the US. [2]

In a family history it is told that following the war the father is US Food Commission and is send to Danzig, Poland in 1918-1919. He is then Scandinavian District Manager for US Shipping Board in Copenhagen. In 1921, he is transferred to Hamburg, Germany, and then London, Britain. In 1922 he returns to the US having sold the company Dansk Formulartryk A/S. In 1929 he becomes European manager for the American company Elliott Fischer in Paris and Hamburg. In 1930-31 he is manager of EGRY Business Systems in Hamburg and Berlin. He leaves Germany in 1933 and returns to Denmark and US. In 1934 he immigrates to Melbourne, Australia, where he becomes the manager of different American companies. In 1940-43 he is the Danish vice-consul in Victoria. [3]

The 1925 Census places the family in Copenhagen in November 1925 and the document suggests that the family has occupied the same address in Copenhagen in 1924. The document also states that both parents are then US Citizens, but that the boy – he has not been christened yet – is Danish. [4]

In January 1936 he and his mother arrive in Melbourne per SS NARKUNDA. In 1937 a young John Georg Ulrik takes part in a League of Nations Day broadcast from the studios of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. He is referred to as Jörgen Ulrik. [5]

From Air Training Corps to Royal Australian Air Force

On 8 April 1942 he applies for enrolment in the Air Training Corps. In the application he states, that he is not British subject by birth, but that he is "… a Dane (I cannot change my nationality until I attain the age of 18)". He is Cadet for two years. [6]

On 11 February 1944 he reports to No. 1 Recruiting Centre, Melbourne, VIC, to enlist in the Royal Australian Air Force. He has then passed the age of 18, and he states that he is American citizen. Furthermore, a document states that the American consul is asked if he has any objections to the enlistment of Ulrik. He is posted to No. 1 Initial Training School. [7]

On 22 June 1944 he is posted to No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School. From 26 June 1944 to 23 July 1944 he follows No. 51 Course. He then attains the rank of Aircraftman 2nd Class, but is promoted to Leading Aircraftman on 24 July 1944. He continues training at this unit and is flying solo for the first time on 27 July 1944 in De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth (A17-585). [8]

On 21 October 1944 he is posted to No. 6 Service Flying Training School, but for unknown reasons he is posted to No. 14 Stores Unit just a few days later on 24 October 1944. On 13 January 1945 he is posted to No. 1 Recruit Depot. [9]

On 10 March 1945 he is posted to No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School where he recommences flying training. He attends No. 59 (Pilots) Refresher Course from 12 March to 30 April 1945. His evaluation states that he is suitable for bombers, and that he is a good and sound trainee. Nevertheless, at the end of the course he is posted to No. 6 Stores Depot from 14 May 1945. [10]

On 11 October 1945 he is transferred to No. 3 RAAF Hospital. There is no indication from the service record of the reason. On 31 October 1945 he is transferred to No. 2 Medical Rehabilitation Unit and the on 1 November 1945 he is posted to No. 1 Personnel Depot. On 17 December 1945 he is discharged from this unit. [11]

He is naturalised as British subject in 1946. [12]

Sources

  1. Skt. Johannes Parish record, 1925 Census, lundsteen.de/familie
  2. U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 Record for John G Ulrik, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record for John George Ulrich, Ohio Soldiers in WWI, 1917-1918 Record for John G. Ulrik
  3. lundsteen.de/familie
  4. 1925 Census
  5. The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954) Saturday 7 August 1937 via Colin Bruggy, NAA B13 1935/24853
  6. Service record, NAA A9301 449122
  7. Service record, NAA A9301 449122
  8. Service record, NAA A9301 449122
  9. Service record, NAA A9301 449122
  10. Service record, NAA A9301 449122
  11. Service record, NAA A9301 449122
  12. NAA A435 1946/4/5581