Reginald George Malcolm

Captain Reginald George Malcolm was a Canadian flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eight aerial victories scored during March, April, and May 1916.

Early life Reginald George Malcolm was a Canadian, though there are conflicting accounts of his birthplace and birth date. Some aviation historians state he was born in Manitoba, Canada in 1890. He was a bachelor working as a clerk in civil life before he joined the military.

First World War service Malcolm joined the Royal Flying Corps and was placed on the General List; on 24 February 1917 second lieutenant R. G. Malcolm was appointed a Flying Officer. Eight days later, he scored his first aerial victory while teamed with Leonard Herbert Emsden in a pusher Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d. Sometimes teamed with Emsden, sometimes with other gunners, Malcolm was already an ace when he and Emsden finished off their respective victory strings with three victories on 1 May 1917.

The action that day was vividly described in public records: On 1 May 1917, he was one of a formation of six which was attacked by 15 hostile scouts. He attacked one which he shot down and destroyed near Izel. A little later he was attacked by five scouts, one of which he drove down damaged. This machine was seen to land just west of Lens. Again, on the same patrol, he drove off two scouts which were attacking one of our artillery machines. Later in the same day, whilst on a bomb raid, he was attacked by a red scout, which damaged his engine. He immediately dived, and his observer shot down the hostile machine, which fell in flames in Bois-Bernard. 2nd Lieutenant Malcolm managed to land on our side of the lines.

Malcolm was withdrawn from combat on 18 June 1917 and posted to Home Establishment in Britain.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has shown exceptional skill and courage in aerial fighting. He has several times been attacked by superior numbers, and on each occasion has accounted for more than one of the hostile machines and effected a safe landing himself.

On 1 July 1918, he was both promoted to captain and shipped home to Canada. Once there, he commanded Aerial Fighting School No. 2 at Beamsville, Ontario, Canada until he was transferred to staff duty at headquarters on 16 December 1918.

List of aerial victories No.Date/timeAircraftFoeResultLocationNotes 1 4 March 1917 @ 1115 hours Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d serial number 7693 LVG two-seater Destroyed Courrieres, France Gunner: Leonard Herbert Emsden; victory shared with William Drummond Matheson and gunner, two other air crews 2 17 March 1917 circa 1130 hours Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d s/n A782 Albatros D.II Destroyed Between Oppy and Beaumont, France Gunner: C. W. Wilson 3 13 April 1917 @ 1930 hours Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d s/n A6385 Albatros D.III Destroyed Hénin-Liétard, France Gunner: Leonard Herbert Emsden 4 14 April 1917 @ 1930 hours Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d s/n A6383 Albatros D.III Destroyed Henin-Lietard, France Gunner: C.W. Weir; victory shared with another air crew 5 21 April 1917 @ 1845 hours Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d s/n A8375 Captured Albatros D.III Between Thélus and Vimy, France Gunner: C.W. Weir; victory shared with Anthony Arnold RNAS 6 1 May 1917 @ 0620 hours Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d s/n 7672 Albatros D.III Destroyed Izel-lès-Hameau, France Gunner: Leonard Herbert Emsden 7 1 May 1917 @ 0645 hours Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d s/n 7672 Albatros D.III Captured West of Lens Gunner: Leonard Herbert Emsden 8 1 May 1917 @ 1800 hours Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d s/n 7672 Albatros D.III Destroyed; set afire in midair Bois-Bernard, France Gunner: Leonard Herbert Emsden

Post war After Reginald George Malcolm was transferred to staff duty at headquarters on 16 December 1918, he fades from history's view.