Malcolm C. McGregor
| Malcolm Charles McGregor | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 March 1896 Vicinity of Hunterville, New Zealand |
| Died | 19 February 1936 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service/branch | Aviation |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 54 Squadron RFC, No. 85 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar |
| Other work | Aviation pioneer in New Zealand; long distance air racer |
Captain Malcolm Charles McGregor DFC* (4 March 1896 – 19 February 1936) was a New Zealand born World War I flying ace. He was credited with 11 victories during the war. Postwar, he was an aviation pioneer in his home country and a competitor in intercontinental air racing.
Malcolm Charles McGregory was born near Hunterville, New Zealand on 4 March 1896.
On 7 April 1917, McGregory was appointed a Flying Officer in the Royal Flying Corps. His first aerial success came on 6 June 1917, while he was with 54 Squadron. He used a Sopwith Pup to destroy a German Albatros D.III fighter southwest of Cambrai, France.
He would not score another victory for almost a year. After transferring to 85 Squadron to pilot a SE.5a, he drove down an enemy reconnaissance plane over Armentières on 29 May 1918. Three days later, on 1 June, he drove down a pair of Pfalz D.III fighters over La Gorgue, France. On 27 June 1918, he destroyed another German recon machine and became an ace.
On 24 July, he scored another double win southeast of Kemmel, Belgium, destroying one Fokker D.VII and driving another out of combat. On 3 August, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII. Later in August, on the 22nd, he destroyed yet another Fokker D.VII. This was the action referred to when he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was not gazetted until 2 November 1918.
"On the 22nd August this officer displayed great gallantry and skill in an engagement between six of our scouts and a similar number of the enemy; all the latter were accounted for, Captain McGregor driving down one out of control. In all he has seven enemy aircraft to his credit—four destroyed and three driven down out of control."
McGregor would next turn balloon buster, destroying an enemy observation balloon east of Maretz, France on 8 October. He ended his string of triumphs by destroying another recon plane on 23 October 1918. His final tally was an observation balloon and five enemy airplanes destroyed, plus four planes driven down out of control.
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