Father of the RNZAF

[Dave Homewood]

Well I have to say I had never heard of Wing Commander Grant-Dalton being described as the "Father of the RNZAF" before. I would have thought that title went to Sir Ralph Cochrane, and Father of the Air Force definitely fits Sir Henry Wigram.

I do not know much about Grant-Dalton, I did not even know his first name was Stuart till I read this. Was he the head of the NZPAF when it was redesignated the RNZAF in 1934?

From The Press, 12 January 1971

[McFly]

(link)..

Sept 10, 2018 1:17:19 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

The name Wing Commander Grant-Dalton comes up a lot when looking into the early days of the Air Force, but I never knew much about his background. This article fills in a lot.I had no idea he'd lost a leg, for example. From the OTAGO DAILY TIMES, 29 SEPTEMBER 1931

NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE

WING-COMMANDER GRANT DALTON

EXPIRATION OF APPOINTMENT

(Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, September 28.

Having taken charge of New Zealand aviation at a particularly difficult time and maintained a wise and progressive administration for two years. Wing-commander S. Grant-Dalton, D.S.O., A.F.C., will relinquish his position as Director of Air Services on Wednesday, his appointment having expired. He will be succeeded, it is understood, by Squadron-leader T. M. Wilkes, M.C., who returned from England, where be had been engaged as liaison officer at the Air Ministry earlier in the year.

Wing-commander Grant Dalton came to New Zealand in October, 1929, when the aero clubs had been formed throughout the Dominion, but were in many cases unable to establish themselves, and to him fell the lot of organising them in such a way that the scheme would be able to work successfully, a task which required a great deal of tact and ability, and the success which the clubs have achieved is itself a tribute to the way in which the task was carried out. The public enthusiasm for aviation which had been stirred up by the Tasman crossing of Kingsford Smith and his crew had not abated when he assumed office. Controlling both civil and military aviation, he embarked upon a progressive programme.

Along with the expansion of civil aviation he developed the air base at Hobsonville, and brought about the use of the air force rank titles, an indication that the Air Force had to be regarded as a separate service from the army. Last year he organised the air force into a wing comprising four squadrons, an arrangement which has facilitated the administration of the force.

He introduced a number of new types of machines into the Air Force, and proposed that a super-marine Southampton flying boat might be purchased and flown from England to New Zealand by one of the officers at Hobsonville Air Base, but the scheme was negatived, as were many others which he suggested, on the score of expense. With the slump coming on the estimates were cut so heavily that progress was rendered almost impossible.

Wing-commander Grant-Dalton was educated at Uppingham and Sandhurst, and received his commission in a Yorkshire regiment at the age of 20. With them he served in Cyprus, Egypt, Khartoum, and India, and was adjutant of the Fifth Battalion when he was wounded at Ypres in April, 1915. He was then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and qualified as a pilot in January, 1916, and going to Egypt, where he was severely wounded and lost a leg, besides gaining mention in despatches, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Bar, the Air Force Cross, and the Order of the Nile.

After the war he commanded the 64th naval wing in the Middle East, and in 1920 was promoted to the command of headquarters of the Palestine group, later holding many important appointments, including the command of the Armament and Gunnery. School at Eastchurch, Kent.

Squadron-leader Wilkes, M.C., who is expected to fill the position which will be vacated, has been closely associated with post-war aviation in New Zealand since its inception. A brigade-major with the 2nd Infantry Brigade in 1916, he was employed with the Royal Air Force in September, 1917, to June, 1918, and after holding a number of staff appointments, both in France and New Zealand, was officer commanding a special expedition to Fiji in 1920. He again became connected with aviation in July, 1920, when he was appointed general staff officer for the Air Services and secretary to the Air Board. At the beginning of 1924 he was staff officer of the Air Services, and in 1925 Director of Air Services, a post which he vacated to take up the position of liaison officer, at the London in 1929. While there he did particularly good work and his recall when the office was shut as an economy measure was regretted by many in official positions.

[davidd]

Intrigued to read in the above article about Grant-Dalton and Wilkes, that the latter "was officer commanding a special expedition to Fiji in 1920". Perhaps Dave H could retrieve something from Papers Past which may shine the light on a (to me) unknown wrinkle in the history of the NZ armed forces.

[Dave Homewood]

Sept 28, 2024 9:07:56 GMT 12 davidd said:

Intrigued to read in the above article about Grant-Dalton and Wilkes, that the latter "was officer commanding a special expedition to Fiji in 1920". Perhaps Dave H could retrieve something from Papers Past which may shine the light on a (to me) unknown wrinkle in the history of the NZ armed forces.

From The New Zealand Herald, 5 February 1920

THE STRIKE IN FIJI.

FORCE FROM NEW ZEALAND.

SECTION ARRIVES BY TRAIN.

TUTANEKAI DUE TO-DAY.

A section of the force of permanent soldiers which is being despatched to Fiji as a precaution against the Indian strikers getting out of hand reached Auckland by the Main Trunk express yesterday afternoon. The officers are Major E. Puttick, D.S.)., N.Z.S.C., Captain T. M. Wilkes, M.C., N.Z.S.C., Captain Levy, N.Z.M.O., and Lieutenant G. B. Parkinson, R.N.Z.A.

The majority of the men who arrived are somewhat youthful, but their appearance indicated that they were well- trained and efficient soldiers. A good number do not wear service ribbons. They did not carry rifles, but several Lewis guns were in evidence.

The Tutanekai, which is due at Auckland from Wellington this morning, bringing another section of the force, which is understood to total about 100 men, and also the remainder of the arms. Some 10 men of the Auckland permanent force will complete the expedition.

The Auckland defence authorities are arranging for the necessary supplies, which the Tutanekai will take on board to-day. The section which arrived yesterday marched from the train to the Devonport ferry boat, their destination being the Narrow Neck camp.

LABOUR M.P.'S OBJECTION.

REPLY BY PRIME MINISTER.

[BY TELEORAFH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

A defence of the action of the New Zealand Government in sending the Tutanekai to Fiji on account of the strike of Indian workers there was made in a statement to-day. The statement was provoked by a letter from Mr. H. B. Holland, M.P., in which Mr. Holland declared that the New Zealand Government had no right to interfere in an industrial conflict. He proceeded to make out a case for the Indians, using the term "slavery" quite freely, and making out at the same time a bad case for the "sugar monopolies."

Mr. Massey said:—"l do not know a great deal regarding the conditions under which indentured labour is employed in the Fijian Group, but I shall not be surprised to learn that the statements made by Mr. Holland have been grossly exaggerated. It is my business, however, to deal with the position as it exists. Thera were, according to official figures in 1916, 4500 Europeans, 67,000 Indians and 90,000 Fijians in the group. The number of indentured Indians in 1913 was 10,060, in 1916 7,232, and it has decreased since then, though I am not able to give the actual number at present. A few days ago we were informed that a strike had taken place among the Indians, and that a rising was feared. It is worth remembering that there has been similar trouble in India itself just recently, only on a very much larger scale. It seemed to me that there was only one thing to do in the circumstances, and that was to give the help asked for, and that has been done. I am only sorry that a more suitable ship was not available, but if they are called upon, the New Zealanders aboard can be relied upon to do their duty. It is not the Briton's way to turn his back when his neighbour requires assistance, and I do not think Mr. Holland will find many to agree with him in the position he has taken up"

[Dave Homewood]

From an article called THE ISLANDS TRIP in the Star (Christchurch), on 18 March 1920, I take these paragraphs:

SUVA, March 17.
Sir James Allen and the members of the party this morning called on Governor Rodwell, and later a civic reception was given by Major Scott, who thanked New Zealand for her prompt assistance in the epidemic, and the resent dispatch of the Tutanekai. Sir James Allen, replying, said that New Zealand was glad to be able to do neighbourly service. Luncheon was given by the Union Steam Ship Company at the company’s, palatial hotel.

The strike is apparently over, and the Hindoos are working. The Tutanekai is likely soon to leave for New Zealand. The soldiers who are anxious to embark have been employed in useful policing. The detachments with Captain Wilkes in command went as far as sixty miles up the river, where the natives and the Hindoos were amazed at a demonstration of Lewis gunnery. The New Zealanders were never in actual conflict with the strikers.

The Trade Commission has been busily inquiring at the various stoppages during the trip, and is now meeting the Suva commissioners.

Many of the party are staying over at Suva for the Mokoia’s return from Lautoka. All are well.

[davidd]

Many thnaks for that Dave, clears up things quite a lot, nobody shot then. ALthough one can see that the Indians in Fiji were in fairly close touch with events in India itself.

[Dave Homewood]

Yes, very interesting. I did not know about this incident.

The troops were sent in to sort out strikes in our own country later in the 1920s too, I believe.

[errolmartyn]

Surprising how little is claimed to be known about Stuart-Dalton, given the information below that was published (900+ copies) over 20 years ago.

Colin Hanson's By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999 :

GRANT-DALTON, Wing Commander Stuart, DSO*, AFC, mid(2), Order of the Nile (Egypt).
No number. Born Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, 5 Apr 1886; Green Howards 1906; Yorkshire Regt 1913 to 1915; RFC/RAF 6 Jan 1916 to 6 May 1929, 01079; Director Air Services and OC NZPAF 1 Oct 1929 to 30 Sep 1931; Pilot.
Later Wg Cdr S Grant-Dalton, DSO*, AFC, mid(2), Order of the Nile (Egypt), RAF 27 Sep 1939 to 10 Jul 1940, 01079.
Citation Mention in Despatches (1) (Apr 1915): For distinguished services in the Field.
Citation Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (27 Jul 1916): [14 Sqn RFC (BE2c)] To Captain S Grant-Dalton, Yorkshire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps. For conspicuous gallantry and resource. When on return from escort duties, his observer, 2nd Lieutenant Paris, discovered one of our machines which had been forced to land in enemy country owing to damage by hostile fire. Captain Grant-Dalton with great gallantry, landed, destroyed the machine which was past repair, and returned ninety miles to his aerodrome with his observer, and the pilot of the other machine. This action took place during a bombing raid on El Arish in the Sinai Desert on 18 Jun 1916 and involved the rescue of a pilot of 17 Sqn RFC.
Citation Bar to Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (23 Nov 1916): [14 Sqn, RFC (BE2c)] For conspicuous gallantry in action. He attacked two hostile aeroplanes although quite unsupported. Later after being attacked by another enemy machine and wounded in three places, he brought his machine back and landed safely. As a result of his wounds, on 21 Jul 1916, Capt Grant-Dalton lost a leg. He had earlier been wounded at Ypres, France, in Apr 1915.
Citation Mention in Despatches (2) (1 Dec 1916): From the despatch from General Sir Archibald Murray - More than half the month of July passed without any important occurrence on the Eastern Front. On July 19th, however, the situation suddenly changed. A reconnaissance by the Royal Flying Corps revealed the fact that a large enemy force had moved westwards from El Arish and established itself on the line Bir El Abd-Bir Jameil-Bir Bayaud....I cannot speak too highly of the work of the Royal Flying Corps during the whole period. Their work was extremely arduous and exhausting. The average total daily reconnaissance during the period amounted to 23 1/4 hours, and during the first five days of August to as much as 31 1/2 hours. Many pilots and observers were out two or three times a day for several consecutive days under very accurate anti-aircraft fire and were frequently engaged in air combats with enemy machines of superior power. Included in the list of officers ‘mentioned’ in this Despatch was the name of Capt S Grant-Dalton, DSO.
Citation Order of the Nile (4th Class) (Egypt) (9 Mar 1917 - Conferred by the Sultan of Egypt, 20 Nov 1916): Not available. During the period preceding this award Flt Lt Grant-Dalton served with 14 Sqn RFC in Egypt.
Citation Air Force Cross (3 Jun 1919): Not available. In the period preceding this award Wg Cdr Grant-Dalton commanded 32 Training Wing RAF, with units at Suez, Ismailia, Kantara, Abu Sueir and in Palestine.
Died Pinhoe, Devon, England, Jan 1971.

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

I only claimed to know little about him because I have not specifically made a point of reading up on him. Although I admit I must have read the article that Marty dragged out and pasted above, but I do not recall it now all these years later. He was certainly not a household name in the RNZAF like Cocky and Wigram were.

When I come across his name I think of the multi-millionaire yachtsman that the government props up with a big donation every few years to help him continue his hobby.

[Dave Homewood]

Also the precis of his career states
"Director Air Services and OC NZPAF 1 Oct 1929 to 30 Sep 1931"

From the newspapers, it seems when he left that role he left the NZPAF altogether and moved to Britain, and was living there for two years with no involvement at all in aviation, till returning to NZ as a civilian in December 1933.

And then later in 1934 he set up and ran East Coast Airways around the same point that the NZPAF was becoming the RNZAF.

So again I ask why he qualified for the title Father of the RNZAF.