Stephen Melville Explained

Honorific Prefix:General
Stephen Alexander Melville
Birth Date:31 December 1904
Birth Place:Matatiele, Natal
Death Date:[1]
Death Place:Pretoria, South Africa
Allegiance:South Africa
Branch:South African Air Force
Serviceyears:1924–1960
Rank:General
Commands:
  • Commandant General of the South African Defence Force
Battles:
Spouse:Ursula Magdalene Strijdom
Relations:J.G. Strijdom (brother in law)
Laterwork:Armaments Board of South Africa

General Stephen Alexander Melville (31 December 190417 June 1977) was a South African Air Force officer. He commanded air force formations in East Africa, North Africa, Madagascar, and Italy during the Second World War, and rose to Air Chief of Staff (1954–56) and Commandant General of the South African Defence Force (1958–60).

Early life

Melville was born in Matatiele, Natal, on 31 December 1904, and was educated at Grey College, Bloemfontein. He then worked in a bank, and later joined the Merchant Navy as a stoker. He joined the South African Mounted Rifles in 1924 as a trooper before transferring to the Artillery. In 1929, after a short boxing career in South Africa and the United States,[2] Melville was trained as a pilot and transferred to the South African Air Force.

Air Force career

Melville commanded air force formations in the East African Campaign, Battle of Madagascar and Italian Campaign during the Second World War. For his service, Melville was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and Mentioned in Despatches in July 1943.

Melville served as Air Chief of Staff from 1954 to 1956, as Inspector-General from 1956 to 1958, and as Commandant General,[3] the head of the Union Defence Force, from 1958 to 1960. He was awarded the Star of South Africa in June 1960.

Melville later served on the Armaments Board until 1974. He was also the Government's representative on the Rand Water Board.

Awards and decorations

References

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Notes and References

  1. Book: Uys, Ian. South African Military Who's Who 1452–1992. 1992. Fortress Publishers. 0-9583173-3-X. registration.
  2. Web site: Eastern Cape Newsletter – January 2017 – South African Military History Society . October 10, 2018.
  3. C.J.. Nöthling. E.M.. Meyers. Leiers deur die Jare (19121982). af. Leaders through the years (19121982). Scientaria Militaria. 1982. 12. 2. 95.