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Kalfie Martin

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Lieutenant General

Henry James Martin

SM CBE DFC
Nickname(s)Kalfie
Born(1910-06-10)10 June 1910
Bloemfontein[1]
Died20 October 2000(2000-10-20) (aged 90)
Pretoria[2]
Allegiance South Africa
Service / branchSouth African Air Force
Years of service1935–1968
RankLieutenant General
WarsWorld War II
AwardsSouthern Cross Medal SM Union Medal ' Order of the British Empire CBE Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) DFC 1939–45 Star ' Africa Star ' War Medal 1939–1945 ' Africa Service Medal (WWII) ' Croix de Guerre '
Other workAuthor
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight95 kg (209 lb)
SchoolGrey College, Bloemfontein
Rugby union career
Position(s) Tighthead prop
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Garrison RFC ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
Transvaal ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1937 South Africa 1 (0)
1937 South Africa (tour) 15 (9)

Lieutenant-General Henry James "Kalfie" Martin SM CBE DFC (10 June 1910 – 20 October 2000) was a South African military commander.

Military career

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He joined the South African Air Force in 1935 and played rugby union for his country in 1937.[2] During World War II, he commanded 3 Wing[3] in North Africa (1942–1943), and in 1945 he commanded 4 Group, which was responsible for transporting South African servicemen back home from Italy. He was CO of AFB Waterkloof from 1949 to 1951.[1]

He served as Quartermaster-General[4] from 1 December 1953 to 31 October 1959, Air Chief of Staff (1 May 1965 to 30 June 1966)[5] as Chief of the Air Force from 1 July 1966 to 30 November 1967, and as Chief of Defence Staff from 1 December 1967 to 31 December 1968.

Awards and decorations

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Rugby career

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As a member of the Air Force, Martin played his club rugby for Garrison RFC and he also played provincial rugby for Transvaal.[6] In 1937 he toured with the Springboks to Australia and New Zealand. He played his first and only test match against Australia on 17 July 1937. He also played 15 tour matches.[7]

Test history

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No. Opponents Results
(SA 1st)		 Position Tries Dates Venue
1.  Australia 26–17 Tighthead prop 17 Jul 1937 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452-1992. Fortress Publishers. p. 148. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
  2. ^ a b Harry Martin | Rugby Union | Players and Officials | ESPN Scrum
  3. ^ SWIFTER THAN EAGLES: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE 1912-1982 | Ward | Scientia Militaria – South African Journal of Military Studies
  4. ^ Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leaders through the years (1912–1982)". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2): 95.
  5. ^ South African Defence Force Review 1991. Walker-Ramus. 1991. p. 261.
  6. ^ "Henry James (Kalfie) Martin". Grey College 1st XV Rugby Stats & School Information. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  7. ^ Heath, Duane; Grieb, Eddie; Smit, Kobus (2020). South African Rugby Annual 2020. Cape Town: South African Rugby Union. p. 241. ISBN 9780620872041.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Defence Staff
1967–1968 		Vacant
Title next held by
Booysie van der Riet in 1972
Preceded by Chief of the South African Air Force
1965–1967 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Quartermaster General South African Defence Force
1953–1959 		Succeeded by
Preceded by OC AFB Ysterplaat
1951–1952 		Succeeded by
AAD McKellar


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