Malcolm Calder | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 August 1907 Temuka, New Zealand |
| Died | 31 August 1978 (aged 71) Lower Hutt, New Zealand |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Branch | Royal Air Force Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Service years | 1931–1939 (RAF) 1939–1962 (RNZAF) |
| Rank | Air Vice-Marshal |
| Commands | Chief of the Air Staff |
| Conflicts | Second World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire |
Malcolm Frederick Calder CB, CBE (28 August 1907 – 31 August 1978) was a New Zealand aviator and military leader who served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the Second World War and in the postwar period.
Born in Temuka, Calder joined the Royal Air Force in 1931, serving until 1939, at which time he transferred to the RNZAF. He was involved in training duties for much of the Second World War and spent the final 18 months of the conflict in the Air Department. He oversaw the demobilisation of the RNZAF after the war and in his later career, he held a series of staff postings. Appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in November 1957, he became Chief of the Air Staff the following year. Retiring as a air vice-marshal in July 1962, he died in 1978 at the age of 71.
Early life
editMalcolm Frederick Calder was born in Temuka, New Zealand, on 28 August 1907. He was educated at Christchurch Boys' High School before going onto study law at the University of Canterbury. After graduating he worked for a legal firm for five years and then went to the United Kingdom where he joined the Royal Air Force in 1931.[1][2]
With the increased risk of hostilities in Europe, the RNZAF moved to improve its training capacity. Calder, then the commanding officer at Wigram and also its chief flying instructor, spent July and August visiting various flying clubs around the country, testing their instructors. As a result, many underwent refresher training.[3]
Second World War
editPost-war period
editIn 1958 he was Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, until in July he succeeded Air Vice-Marshal Cyrus Kay as Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).[4][5]
Chief of the Air Staff
editAs CAS, Calder oversaw the introduction into service of the Canberra bomber which equipped No. 14 Squadron.[4] Morale in the RNZAF dwindled over the final months of Calder's tenure as CAS; much of its aircraft were dated, personnel numbers had decreased and the service's budget had been reduced. The situation was not helped by the New Zealand Government's decision in 1961 to prioritise expenditure on the army rather than purchase more Canberras, which Calder had been agitating for.[6][7] Calder retired from the RNZAF as an air-vice marshal on 1 July 1962.[2] He was succeeded as CAS by Air Vice-Marshall Ian Morrison.[5]
Later life
editCalder died on 31 August 1978 at Lower Hutt and was survived by his wife and two children.[8]
Notes
edit- ^ Hanson 2001, p. 111.
- ^ a b "Chief of Air Staff to Retire Today". Press. 30 June 1962. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
- ^ Ross 1955, pp. 43–44.
- ^ a b Bentley 1969, pp. 225–226.
- ^ a b McGibbon 2000, p. 630.
- ^ Wright 1998, p. 147.
- ^ McClure 2012, pp. 192–193.
- ^ "Former Air Chief Dies". Press. 2 September 1978. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
References
edit- Bentley, Geoffrey (1969). RNZAF: A Short History. Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed. OCLC 816504017.
- Hanson, C. M. (2001). By Such Deeds: Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force 1923–1999. Christchurch: Volplane Press. ISBN 0-473-07301-3.
- McClure, Margaret (2012). Fighting Spirit: 75 Years of the RNZAF. Auckland: Random House New Zealand. ISBN 978-1-86979-610-5.
- McGibbon, Ian, ed. (2000). The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History. Auckland, New Zealand: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-558376-0.
- Ross, J. M. S. (1955). Royal New Zealand Air Force. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45. Wellington: War History Branch. OCLC 606146817.
- Wright, Matthew (1998). Kiwi Air Power: The History of the RNZAF. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0625-1.
DEFAULTSORT:Calder, Malcolm Category:1907 births Category:1978 deaths Category:People from Temuka Category:New Zealand military personnel of World War II Category:Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel Category:New Zealand Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Category:New Zealand Companions of the Order of the Bath Category:Royal New Zealand Air Force air marshals