Cuthbert MacLean


Cuthbert Trelawder MacLean, was a Royal Air Force officer who served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Middle East Command from 1934 to 1938.

RAF career

Educated at Wanganui Collegiate School and Auckland University College in New Zealand, MacLean served in the First World War in the 7th Royal Fusiliers and was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. He was awarded his aviator's certificate in October 1915 and successively served as a flight, squadron, wing and brigade commander. He received the Distinguished Service Order for distinguished service in France.
He went on to be Air Officer Commanding British Forces Aden in 1929 and Director of Postings at the Air Ministry in 1931 before becoming Air Officer Commanding Middle East Command in 1934. He was appointed Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Group in 1938 and served in that role in the early stages of the Second World War before retiring in 1940.
He was awarded the rank of Chevalier in the Légion d'honneur.