Reginald George Malcolm was a Canadian, though there are conflicting accounts of his birthplace and birth date. Some aviation historians state he was born in Manitoba, Canada in 1890. The CanadianGreat War Project, as well as the Aerodrome website, give his birthplace as Owen Sound, Ontario, and the date as 14 January 1891. He was a bachelor working as a clerk in civil life before he joined the military. When he decided to join military service to fight in the First World War, he first learned to fly in the United States. He earned Aero Club of America Pilot's Certificate No. 440 from the Wright School in Augusta, Georgia on 29 March 1916.
Malcolm joined the Royal Flying Corps and was placed on the General List; on 24 February 1917 second lieutenant R. G. Malcolm was appointed a Flying Officer. Eight days later, he scored his first aerial victory while teamed with Leonard Herbert Emsden in a pusherRoyal Aircraft Factory FE.2d. Sometimes teamed with Emsden, sometimes with other gunners, Malcolm was already an ace when he and Emsden finished off their respective victory strings with three victories on 1 May 1917. The action that day was vividly described in public records: Emsden, his observer that day, was wounded in the hand during the fray. Malcolm was withdrawn from combat on 18 June 1917 and posted to Home Establishment in Britain. On 18 July, his Military Cross award for courage was gazetted:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has shown exceptional skill and courage in aerial fighting. He has several times been attacked by superior numbers, and on each occasion has accounted for more than one of the hostile machines and effected a safe landing himself.
On 1 July 1918, he was both promoted to captain and shipped home to Canada. Once there, he commanded Aerial Fighting School No. 2 at Beamsville, Ontario, Canada until he was transferred to staff duty at headquarters on 16 December 1918.
List of aerial victories
Post war
After Reginald George Malcolm was transferred to staff duty at headquarters on 16 December 1918, he fades from history's view.
