Kalfie_Martin
Kalfie Martin
Rugby player
Lieutenant-General Henry James "Kalfie" Martin SM CBE DFC (10 June 1910 – 20 October 2000) was a South African military commander.
Henry James Martin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nickname(s) | Kalfie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1910-06-10)10 June 1910 Bloemfontein[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 20 October 2000(2000-10-20) (aged 90) Pretoria[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance |  South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service/ | South African Air Force | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years of service | 1935–1968 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Lieutenant General | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wars | World War II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Awards |          | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other work | Author | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 95 kg (209 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Grey College, Bloemfontein | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union 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.
- Southern Cross Medal (1952) (SM) (South Africa)
- Union Medal (South Africa)
- Order of the British Empire (Commander) (CBE) (Great Britain)
- Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) (DFC) (Great Britain)
- 1939–45 Star (Great Britain)
- Africa Star (NORTH AFRICA 1942–43 clasp) (Great Britain)
- War Medal 1939–1945 (Great Britain)
- Africa Service Medal (WWII) (South Africa)
- Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
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
| No. | Opponents | Results (SA 1st) | Position | Tries | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  Australia | 26–17 | Tighthead prop | 17 Jul 1937 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
- Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452-1992. Fortress Publishers. p. 148. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
- Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leaders through the years (1912–1982)". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2): 95.
- South African Defence Force Review 1991. Walker-Ramus. 1991. p. 261.
- "Henry James (Kalfie) Martin". Grey College 1st XV Rugby Stats & School Information. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- 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 HJ Bronkhorst |
Quartermaster General South African Defence Force 1953–1959 |
Succeeded by JSJ van der Merwe |
| Preceded by | OC AFB Ysterplaat 1951–1952 |
Succeeded by AAD McKellar |
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