Jump to content

George Mackinolty: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m World War II and after: Air Vice-Marshal
Rv overlinking
 
(31 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Royal Australian Air Force senior commander}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name=George John William Mackinolty
|name=George John William Mackinolty
|image=134757Mackinolty1948Cropped.jpg
|image=134757Mackinolty1948Cropped.jpg
|caption= Air Vice Marshal George Mackinolty in London, 1948
|caption= Air Vice-Marshal George Mackinolty in London, 1948
|alt=Half-portrait of man in dark military uniform with peaked cap, carrying gloves in left hand
|alt=Half-portrait of man in dark military uniform with peaked cap, carrying gloves in left hand
|birth_date={{birth date|df=yes|1895|3|24}}
|birth_date={{birth date|df=yes|1895|3|24}}
Line 9: Line 11:
|death_place=[[Laverton, Victoria|Laverton]], Victoria
|death_place=[[Laverton, Victoria|Laverton]], Victoria
|nickname=
|nickname=
|allegiance={{flag|Australia}}
|allegiance=Australia
|branch=[[File:Ensign of the Royal Australian Air Force.svg|22px]] [[Royal Australian Air Force]]
|branch=[[Royal Australian Air Force]]
|serviceyears=1914–1951
|serviceyears=1914–51
|rank=[[Air Vice Marshal]]
|rank=[[Air Vice-Marshal]]
|unit=[[Central Flying School RAAF|Central Flying School]] (1914&ndash;15)<br />[[No. 30 Squadron RAF|No. 30 Squadron RFC]] (1915&ndash;16)<br />[[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No. 2 Squadron AFC]] (1916&ndash;17)<br />[[No. 5 Squadron RAAF|No. 5 Squadron AFC]] (1917)<br />[[No. 1 Aircraft Depot RAAF|No. 1 Aircraft Depot]] (1921&ndash;24)<br />[[No. 3 Squadron RAAF|No. 3 Squadron]] (1925&ndash;29)
|unit=[[Central Flying School RAAF|Central Flying School]] (1914–15)<br />[[No. 30 Squadron RAF|No. 30 Squadron RFC]] (1915–16)<br />[[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No. 2 Squadron AFC]] (1916–17)<br />[[No. 5 Squadron RAAF|No. 5 Squadron AFC]] (1917)<br />[[No. 1 Aircraft Depot RAAF|No. 1 Aircraft Depot]] (1921–24)<br />[[No. 3 Squadron RAAF|No. 3 Squadron]] (1925–29)
|commands=Transport and Equipment Directorate (1929&ndash;35)<br />Equipment Directorate (1935&ndash;40)<br />Supply Directorate (1940&ndash;42)<br />Supply and Equipment Branch (1942&ndash;51)
|commands={{nowrap|Transport & Equipment Directorate (1929–35)}}<br />Equipment Directorate (1935–40)<br />Supply Directorate (1940–42)<br />Supply & Equipment Branch (1942–51)
|battles=World War I
|battles=
{{tree list}}
*[[Middle Eastern theatre of World War I|Middle Eastern theatre]]
* World War I
*[[Mesopotamian campaign]]
** [[Middle Eastern theatre of World War I|Middle Eastern theatre]]
World War II
*** [[Mesopotamian campaign]]
* World War II
{{tree list/end}}
|awards=[[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]]<br />[[Mentioned in Despatches]]
|awards=[[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]]<br />[[Mentioned in Despatches]]
|relations=
|relations=
}}
}}


[[Air Vice Marshal]] '''George John William Mackinolty''' [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] (24&nbsp;March 1895 &ndash; 24&nbsp;February 1951) was a senior commander in the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF). Commencing his service in the [[Australian Flying Corps]] (AFC) as a mechanic during World War&nbsp;I, he rose to become the RAAF's chief [[logistics]] officer for more than twenty years. Mackinolty was born in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and joined the AFC in 1914. He first saw active duty the following year in the [[Middle Eastern theatre of World War I|Middle East]] with [[No. 30 Squadron RAF|No.&nbsp;30 Squadron]] [[Royal Flying Corps]] (formerly the [[Mesopotamian Half Flight]]). In 1916 he was [[mentioned in despatches]] and posted to [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;2 Squadron AFC]]. By the end of the war he had been commissioned a [[second lieutenant]].
[[Air Vice-Marshal]] '''George John William Mackinolty''', [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] (24&nbsp;March 1895&nbsp; 24&nbsp;February 1951) was a senior commander in the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF). Commencing his service in the [[Australian Flying Corps]] (AFC) as a mechanic during World War&nbsp;I, he rose to become the RAAF's chief [[logistics]] officer for more than twenty years. Mackinolty was born in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and joined the AFC in 1914. He first saw active duty the following year in the [[Middle Eastern theatre of World War I|Middle East]] with [[No. 30 Squadron RAF|No.&nbsp;30 Squadron]] [[Royal Flying Corps]] (formerly the [[Mesopotamian Half Flight]]). In 1916 he was [[mentioned in despatches]] and posted to [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;2 Squadron AFC]]. By the end of the war he had been commissioned a [[second lieutenant]].


Joining the newly formed RAAF in August 1921, Mackinolty established himself as the service's senior logistician between the wars, first as Director of Transport and Equipment from 1929 to 1935, and thereafter as Director of Equipment. He was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] in 1937. Soon after the outbreak of World War&nbsp;II, he became Director of Supply and was promoted to [[group captain]]. In June 1942 he was raised to acting [[air commodore]] and appointed the Air Member for Supply and Equipment (AMSE). Promoted to air vice marshal in 1948, Mackinolty continued to serve as AMSE until his sudden death from cancer in February 1951, aged fifty-five.
Joining the newly formed RAAF in August 1921, Mackinolty established himself as the service's senior logistician between the wars, first as Director of Transport and Equipment from 1929 to 1935, and thereafter as Director of Equipment. He was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] in 1937. Soon after the outbreak of World War&nbsp;II, he became Director of Supply and was promoted to [[group captain]]. In June 1942 he was raised to acting [[air commodore]] and appointed the Air Member for Supply and Equipment (AMSE). Promoted to air vice-marshal in 1948, Mackinolty continued to serve as AMSE until his sudden death from cancer in February 1951, aged fifty-five.


==Early life and World War I==
==Early life and World War I==
Born on 24 March 1895 at [[Leongatha, Victoria|Leongatha]], Victoria, Mackinolty was the son of labourer James Mickleburg Mackinolty and his wife Mary. He went to public schools, obtaining his merit certificate before undertaking formal engineering and business courses in [[Melbourne]]. Commencing his working life as a coach and motor-body builder, he enlisted in the [[Australian Military Forces]] on 17&nbsp;August 1914, soon after the outbreak of World War&nbsp;I. His experience in motor transport resulted in a transfer as an air mechanic to [[Central Flying School RAAF|Central Flying School]] (CFS) at [[RAAF Williams#RAAF Williams Point Cook Base|Point Cook]]. Having gained a reputation for his skill with timber, he was promoted [[sergeant]] and given command of CFS's woodworking team.<ref name="ADB">[http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A150297b.htm?hilite=Mackinolty Mackinolty, George John William (1895–1951)] at [[Australian Dictionary of Biography|Australian Dictionary of Biography Online]]. Retrieved on 6 November 2009.</ref><ref name="Stephens & Isaacs">Stephens; Isaacs, ''High Fliers'', pp. 104&ndash;107</ref>
Born on 24 March 1895 at [[Leongatha, Victoria|Leongatha]], Victoria, Mackinolty was the son of labourer James Mickleburg Mackinolty and his wife Mary. He went to public schools, obtaining his merit certificate before undertaking formal engineering and business courses in [[Melbourne]]. Commencing his working life as a coach and motor-body builder, he enlisted in the [[Australian Military Forces]] on 17&nbsp;August 1914, soon after the outbreak of World War&nbsp;I.<ref name="ADB">{{cite dictionary|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A150297b.htm?hilite=Mackinolty|last=Stephens|first=Alan|title= Mackinolty, George John William (1895–1951)|dictionary= [[Australian Dictionary of Biography|Australian Dictionary of Biography Online]]|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |access-date=2 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="Stephens & Isaacs">Stephens; Isaacs, ''High Fliers'', pp. 104–107</ref> His experience in the motor industry led to assignment as an air mechanic with the Aviation Instructional Staff at [[Central Flying School RAAF|Central Flying School]] (CFS), [[RAAF Williams#RAAF Base Point Cook|Point Cook]].<ref name="ADB"/><ref name=Clarkxvi>Coulthard-Clark, ''The Third Brother'', p. xvi</ref> He was soon promoted from [[Private soldier|private]] to [[corporal]] and later, having gained a reputation for his skill with timber, raised to [[sergeant]] and given command of the school's woodworking team.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref name=Clarkxvi/>


[[File:P00731.003CFS1914.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Sergeant Mackinolty (third row, far left) with Private [[Arthur William Murphy|Murphy]] (fourth row, far left), Captain [[Henry Petre|Petre]], Lieutenant [[Eric Harrison (RAAF officer)|Harrison]], Captain [[Thomas White (Australian politician)|White]] (second row, third, fourth, fifth from left), Lieutenant [[Richard Williams (RAAF officer)|Williams]] (front row, left) and other CFS staff, August 1914|alt=Group portrait of nineteen men, including six in military uniforms with peaked caps, in front of a biplane in a hangar]]
[[File:P00731.003CFS1914.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.32|Sergeant Mackinolty (third row, left), Private [[Arthur William Murphy|Murphy]] (fourth row, left), Captain [[Henry Petre|Petre]], Lieutenant [[Eric Harrison (RAAF officer)|Harrison]], Captain [[Thomas White (Australian politician)|White]] (second row, third, fourth, fifth from left), Lieutenant [[Richard Williams (RAAF officer)|Williams]] (front row, left) at CFS, August 1914|alt=Group portrait of nineteen men, including six in military uniforms with peaked caps, in front of a biplane in a hangar]]
On 1&nbsp;August 1915, Mackinolty transferred to the [[First Australian Imperial Force|Australian Imperial Force]], to lead a team of thirteen other mechanics as reinforcements for an [[Australian Flying Corps]] contingent serving in the [[Mesopotamian campaign]].<ref name="ADB"/> He departed Melbourne nine days later aboard RMS ''Persia'', and arrived at [[Basra]] on 1&nbsp;September.<ref name="AIF Project">[http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8080/showPerson?pid=183898 George John William Mackinolty] at The AIF Project. Retrieved on 16 November 2009.</ref><ref name="Cutlack">Cutlack, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/9/chapters/02.pdf ''The Australian Flying Corps'', p. 25]</ref> Mackinolty's team immediately joined [[No. 30 Squadron RAF|No. 30 Squadron]] [[Royal Flying Corps]] (originally the [[Mesopotamian Half Flight|Mesopotamian Half Flight AFC]]), which moved into the city of [[Kut]] after its capture by British Empire troops in the [[Battle of Es Sinn]]. The unit took part in the [[Battle of Ctesiphon (1915)|Battle of Ctesiphon]] in November, and organised supply drops to the British and Indian garrison in [[Siege of Kut|Kut during the siege]] that lasted from December 1915 until the following April.<ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 6&ndash;8</ref><ref name="Wilson">Wilson, ''The Brotherhood of Airmen'', pp. 6&ndash;9</ref>
On 1&nbsp;August 1915, Mackinolty transferred to the [[First Australian Imperial Force|Australian Imperial Force]], to lead a team of thirteen other mechanics as reinforcements for an [[Australian Flying Corps]] contingent serving in the [[Mesopotamian campaign]].<ref name="ADB"/> He departed Melbourne nine days later aboard RMS ''Persia'', and arrived at [[Basra]] on 1&nbsp;September.<ref name="AIF Project">{{cite web|url=https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=183898|title= George John William Mackinolty|work= The AIF Project|access-date=2 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="Cutlack">Cutlack, [https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1069786--1-.pdf ''The Australian Flying Corps'', p. 25]</ref> Mackinolty's team immediately joined [[No. 30 Squadron RAF|No. 30 Squadron]] [[Royal Flying Corps]] (originally the [[Mesopotamian Half Flight|Mesopotamian Half Flight AFC]]), which moved into the city of [[Kut]] after its capture by British Empire troops in the [[Battle of Es Sinn]]. The unit took part in the [[Battle of Ctesiphon (1915)|Battle of Ctesiphon]] in November, and organised supply drops to the British and Indian garrison in [[Siege of Kut|Kut during the siege]] that lasted from December 1915 until the following April.<ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 6–8</ref><ref name="Wilson">Wilson, ''The Brotherhood of Airmen'', pp. 6–9</ref>


Promoted to [[flight sergeant]], Mackinolty was [[mentioned in despatches]] on 19&nbsp;October 1916.<ref name="ADB"/><ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=29789|supp=yes|startpage=10047|endpage=10049|date=19 October 1916|accessdate=on 26 October 2009}}</ref> When the Australian members of No.&nbsp;30 Squadron were dispersed, he was posted to [[Al Qantarah El Sharqiyya|Kantara]], Egypt, where he joined the newly established [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;2 Squadron AFC]] (also numbered No.&nbsp;68 Squadron RFC by the British). Commanded by Major [[Oswald Watt]], the unit relocated to England in January 1917.<ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 6&ndash;8,16&ndash;17</ref><ref>[http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_10836.asp 2 Squadron AFC] at [[Australian War Memorial]]. Retrieved on 20 November 2011.</ref> Following his service with No.&nbsp;2 Squadron, Mackinolty was assigned to [[No. 5 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;5 (Training) Squadron AFC]], which formed at [[Shawbury]], Shropshire, in June 1917.<ref name="AVM">[http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Contents/About-APDC/About-APDC/Office-of-Air-Force-History/Air-Marshals-of-the-RAAF/137/Air-Vice-Marshals-L-Z.aspx Air Vice-Marshals (L-Z)] at [[Royal Australian Air Force]]. Retrieved on 20 November 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_10845.asp 5 (Training) Squadron AFC] at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 20 November 2011.</ref> Praised for his organisational and leadership abilities, he was commissioned as an equipment officer in March 1918, with the rank of [[second lieutenant]]. The following month he was given command of an aircraft repair unit in [[Minchinhampton]], Gloucestershire,<ref name="ADB"/> home of two squadrons of the AFC's [[No. 1 Wing RAAF|1st Training Wing]].<ref>Sutherland, ''Command and Leadership in War and Peace'', pp. 36&ndash;41</ref>
Mackinolty was promoted in the field to [[flight sergeant]] in June 1916, and [[mentioned in despatches]] on 19&nbsp;October.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=29789|supp=y|pages=10047–10049|date=19 October 1916}}</ref> When the Australian members of No.&nbsp;30 Squadron were dispersed, he was posted to [[Al Qantarah El Sharqiyya|Kantara]], Egypt, where he joined the newly established [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;2 Squadron AFC]] (also numbered No.&nbsp;68 Squadron RFC by the British). Commanded by Major [[Oswald Watt]], the unit relocated to England in January 1917.<ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 6–8,16–17</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_10836.asp |title= 2 Squadron AFC|publisher= [[Australian War Memorial]]|access-date=2 June 2016}}</ref> Following his service with No.&nbsp;2 Squadron, Mackinolty was assigned to [[No. 5 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;5 (Training) Squadron AFC]], which formed at [[Shawbury]], Shropshire, in June 1917.<ref name="AVM">{{cite web|url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Contents/About-APDC/About-APDC/Office-of-Air-Force-History/Air-Marshals-of-the-RAAF/137/Air-Vice-Marshals-L-Z.aspx |title=Air Vice-Marshals (L-Z)|publisher= [[Royal Australian Air Force]]|access-date=2 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_10845.asp |title=5 (Training) Squadron AFC|publisher= Australian War Memorial|access-date=2 June 2016}}</ref> Praised for his organisational and leadership abilities, he was commissioned as an equipment officer in March 1918, with the rank of [[second lieutenant]]. The following month he was given command of an aircraft repair unit in [[Minchinhampton]], Gloucestershire,<ref name="ADB"/> home of two squadrons of the AFC's [[No. 1 Wing RAAF|1st Training Wing]].<ref>Sutherland, ''Command and Leadership in War and Peace'', pp. 36–41</ref>


==Between the wars==
==Between the wars==
Mackinolty remained in England following the end of hostilities, serving as "officer in charge of Australian packing" at [[Hendon Aerodrome|RAF Hendon]], near London, from December 1919 to September 1920. In this role he was responsible for crating and shipping to Point Cook the 128 aircraft and associated spares, weaponry, vehicles, hangars and other equipment that made up Britain's post-war [[Imperial Gift]] of [[Royal Air Force]] surplus to Australia, which eventually filled 19,000 cases.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', p. 31</ref> Mackinolty also completed formal training in [[Aerospace engineering|aeronautical engineering]] before returning to Melbourne in October 1920. Discharged from the AIF in January 1921, he worked in the automotive industry and took a correspondence course on internal combustion engines.<ref name="ADB"/>
Mackinolty remained in England following the end of hostilities, serving as "officer in charge of Australian packing" at [[Hendon Aerodrome|RAF Hendon]], near London, from December 1919 to September 1920. In this role he was responsible for crating and shipping to Point Cook the 128 aircraft and associated spares, weaponry, vehicles, hangars and other equipment that made up Britain's post-war [[Imperial Gift]] of [[Royal Air Force]] surplus to Australia, which eventually filled 19,000 cases.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', p. 31</ref> Mackinolty also completed formal training in [[Aerospace engineering|aeronautical engineering]] before returning to Melbourne in October 1920. Discharged from the AIF in January 1921, he worked in the automotive industry and took a correspondence course on internal combustion engines.<ref name="ADB"/>


[[File:P07016.001ImperialGiftSE5.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5]] fighter in Victoria, part of Britain's post-war "Imperial Gift" to Australia for which Mackinolty organised shipping in 1920|alt=Side view of single-engined biplane surrounded by five men]]
[[File:P07016.001ImperialGiftSE5.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.32|[[Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5]] fighter in Victoria, part of Britain's post-war "Imperial Gift" to Australia for which Mackinolty organised shipping in 1920|alt=Side view of single-engined biplane surrounded by five men]]
On 8&nbsp;August 1921, Mackinolty was commissioned as a [[flying officer]] in the newly formed [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF). A member of the Stores and Accounting Branch, he commenced service with [[No. 1 Aircraft Depot RAAF|No.&nbsp;1 Aircraft Depot]] at Point Cook in December.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''The Third Brother'', p. 42</ref> He was assigned to the staff of RAAF Headquarters, Melbourne, in 1924. On 20&nbsp;November that year, he married Eileen Moore at Christ Church, [[South Yarra, Victoria|South Yarra]]; the couple had a son and a daughter.<ref name="ADB"/> In 1925, Mackinolty was posted as Equipment Officer to [[No. 3 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;3 Squadron]] at the recently established [[RAAF Base Richmond|RAAF Station Richmond]], New South Wales.<ref name="ADB"/><ref>Roylance, ''Air Base Richmond'', p. 21</ref> Promoted [[flight lieutenant]], he was appointed Director of Transport and Equipment at RAAF Headquarters in 1929, effectively making him the Air Force's senior supply officer, a role he would occupy for the next twenty-two years.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/> His continuous tenure in essentially the one post was comparable to the RAAF's other chief logistician, Squadron Leader (later Air Vice Marshal) [[Ellis Wackett]], who served as its senior engineer for twenty-four years, from 1935 to 1959.<ref name="Going Solo"/><ref>Stephens; Isaacs, ''High Fliers'', pp. 97&ndash;99</ref>
On 8&nbsp;August 1921, Mackinolty was commissioned as a [[flying officer]] in the newly formed [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF). A member of the Stores and Accounting Branch, he commenced service with [[No. 1 Aircraft Depot RAAF|No.&nbsp;1 Aircraft Depot]] at Point Cook in December.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''The Third Brother'', p. 42</ref> He was assigned to the staff of RAAF Headquarters, Melbourne, in 1924. On 20&nbsp;November that year, he married Eileen Moore at [[Christ Church, South Yarra]]; the couple had a son and a daughter.<ref name="ADB"/> In 1925, Mackinolty was posted as Equipment Officer to [[No. 3 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;3 Squadron]] at the recently established [[RAAF Base Richmond|RAAF Station Richmond]], New South Wales.<ref name="ADB"/><ref>Roylance, ''Air Base Richmond'', p. 21</ref> Promoted [[flight lieutenant]], he was appointed Director of Transport and Equipment at RAAF Headquarters in 1929, effectively making him the Air Force's senior supply officer, a role he would occupy for the next twenty-two years.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/> His continuous tenure in essentially the one post was comparable to the RAAF's other chief logistician, Squadron Leader (later Air Vice-Marshal) [[Ellis Wackett]], who served as its senior engineer for twenty-four years, from 1935 to 1959.<ref name="Going Solo"/><ref>Stephens; Isaacs, ''High Fliers'', pp. 97–99</ref>


Mackinolty's position became Director of Equipment in April 1935.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref name="Ashworth">Ashworth, ''How Not to Run an Air Force!'', p. 296</ref> At around this time, he collaborated with Squadron Leader [[George Jones (RAAF officer)|George Jones]], then Director of Training, on an investigation into the state of aircraft production in Australia to highlight shortfalls in local defence in the face of possible future conflict with Japan. Though the report was reviewed enthusiastically by the [[Air Member for Personnel (Australia)|Air Member for Personnel]], Wing Commander [[William Anderson (RAAF officer)|Bill Anderson]], it apparently went no further in the chain of command and thus was effectively ignored.<ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''The Third Brother'', p. 445</ref> Raised to [[squadron leader]], Mackinolty was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] in the [[Coronation of the British Monarch|Coronation Honours]] on 11&nbsp;May 1937, in recognition of his achievements in stores and accounting.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=34396|supp=yes|startpage=3088|date=11 May 1937|accessdate=on 6 November 2009}}</ref> In February the following year he was promoted to [[Wing Commander (rank)|wing commander]].<ref name="Ashworth"/> The punctilious [[Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Chief of the Air Staff]], Air Vice Marshal [[Richard Williams (RAAF officer)|Richard Williams]], sometimes complained that Mackinolty did not pay enough attention to his personal appearance, but never failed to acknowledge his "professional excellence".<ref name="Going Solo">Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 179&ndash;180</ref>
Mackinolty's position was redesignated Director of Equipment in April 1935.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref name="Ashworth">Ashworth, ''How Not to Run an Air Force!'', p. 296</ref> At around this time, he collaborated with Squadron Leader [[George Jones (RAAF officer)|George Jones]], then Director of Training, on an investigation into the state of aircraft production in Australia to highlight shortfalls in local defence in the face of possible future conflict with Japan. Though the report was reviewed enthusiastically by the [[Air Member for Personnel (Australia)|Air Member for Personnel]], Wing Commander [[William Anderson (RAAF officer)|Bill Anderson]], it apparently went no further in the chain of command and thus was effectively ignored.<ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''The Third Brother'', p. 445</ref> Raised to [[squadron leader]], Mackinolty was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] in the [[Coronation of the British Monarch|Coronation Honours]] on 11&nbsp;May 1937, in recognition of his achievements in stores and accounting.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34396|supp=y|page=3088|date=11 May 1937}}</ref> In February the following year he was promoted to [[Wing Commander (rank)|wing commander]].<ref name="Ashworth"/> The punctilious [[Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Chief of the Air Staff]], Air Vice-Marshal [[Richard Williams (RAAF officer)|Richard Williams]], sometimes complained that Mackinolty did not pay enough attention to his personal appearance, but never failed to acknowledge his "professional excellence".<ref name="Going Solo">Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 179–180</ref>


==World War II and after==
==World War II and after==
In April 1940 Mackinolty became Director of Supply, reporting to the Director-General of Supply and Production on the Air Board, the RAAF's controlling body. Responsible for all stores and equipment, Mackinolty also represented his service at the Federal Contract Board, Department of Supply, and Oil Board.<ref>Ashworth, ''How Not to Run an Air Force'', pp. 3, 296</ref><ref>Gillison, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/26/chapters/05.pdf ''Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942'', p. 94]</ref> He was promoted to temporary [[group captain]] in June that year.<ref name="Ashworth"/> With the formation in 1942 of [[South West Pacific Area (command)|Allied Air Forces Headquarters]], which assumed the operational functions of the Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Board was reorganised. The office of Air Member for Organisation and Equipment, once held by [[Air Marshal]] Richard Williams, was dissolved and replaced by that of the Air Member for Supply and Equipment (AMSE).<ref>Gillison, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/26/chapters/24.pdf ''Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942'', p. 479]</ref> Promoted to acting [[air commodore]], Mackinolty became the inaugural AMSE in June.<ref name="ADB"/> Air Commodore Ellis Wackett became Air Member for Engineering and Maintenance at the same time. Norman Ashworth, in ''How Not to Run an Air Force!'', observed that splitting the logistical functions of the Air Board in this manner appeared to be a "uniquely Australian" experiment, and it was not inconceivable that the organisation had been "tailored" to suit these "two very capable officers".<ref>Ashworth, ''How Not to Run an Air Force!'', pp. 132, 137</ref> Serving as AMSE for the remainder of the war, Mackinolty was credited with successfully managing the supply requirements of personnel and aircraft for an organisation that by 1945 had grown by a factor of fifty from its pre-war size, to become the world's fourth largest air force.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 170&ndash;171</ref>
In April 1940 Mackinolty became Director of Supply, reporting to the Director-General of Supply and Production on the [[Air Board (Australia)|Air Board]], the RAAF's controlling body. Responsible for all stores and equipment, Mackinolty also represented his service at the Federal Contract Board, Department of Supply, and Oil Board.<ref>Ashworth, ''How Not to Run an Air Force'', pp. 3, 296</ref><ref>Gillison, [https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070724--1-.pdf ''Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942'', p. 94]</ref> He was promoted to temporary [[group captain]] in June that year.<ref name="Ashworth"/> With the formation in 1942 of [[South West Pacific Area (command)|Allied Air Forces Headquarters]], which assumed the operational functions of the Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Board was reorganised. The offices of Air Member for Organisation and Equipment, once held by [[Air Marshal]] Richard Williams, and Director-General of Supply and Production, a civilian position, were dissolved and replaced by those of the Air Member for Supply and Equipment (AMSE) and Air Member for Engineering and Maintenance (AMEM) to focus on the two key logistical functions of supply and engineering, respectively.<ref>Gillison, [https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070516--1-.pdf ''Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942'', p. 479]</ref><ref>Ashworth, ''How Not to Run an Air Force!'', pp. 130–132</ref> Promoted to acting [[air commodore]], Mackinolty became the inaugural AMSE in June.<ref name="ADB"/> Air Commodore Ellis Wackett became AMEM at the same time. Norman Ashworth, in ''How Not to Run an Air Force!'', observed that splitting the logistical functions of the Air Board in this manner appeared to be a "uniquely Australian" experiment, and it was not inconceivable that the organisation had been "tailored" to suit these "two very capable officers".<ref>Ashworth, ''How Not to Run an Air Force!'', pp. 132, 137</ref> Serving as AMSE for the remainder of the war, Mackinolty was credited with successfully managing the supply requirements of personnel and aircraft for an organisation that by 1945 had grown by a factor of fifty from its pre-war size, to become the world's fourth largest air force.<ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/><ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 170–171</ref>


[[File:132110Mackinolty1946.jpg|thumb|left|250px| Air Commodore Mackinolty (far left) with members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Australia (JCOSA) after their tour of inspection of [[34th Brigade (Australia)|34th Infantry Brigade]] in [[Hiroo, Hokkaidō|Hiro]], Japan, September 1946|alt=Full-length outdoor portrait of four men in light-coloured military uniforms]]
[[File:132110Mackinolty1946.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.32| Air Commodore Mackinolty (far left) with members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Australia (JCOSA) after their tour of inspection of [[34th Brigade (Australia)|34th Infantry Brigade]] in [[Hiroo, Hokkaidō|Hiro]], Japan, September 1946|alt=Full-length outdoor portrait of four men in light-coloured military uniforms]]
Following the end of hostilities, Mackinolty was personally responsible for [[Demobilisation of the Australian military after World War II#Disposal of military equipment|disposing of surplus equipment]] up to an original value of £500, and jointly responsible (with the Business and Finance Members of the Air Board) for disposing of equipment valued between £500 and £10,000.<ref>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', p. 14</ref> His duties as AMSE extended to setting the peacetime rations for RAAF personnel.<ref>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', p. 113</ref> In May 1946, he joined the Australian Battlefields Memorial Committee, convened to advise the Federal government regarding commemoration of the armed forces for their wartime achievements.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50344076 |title=War memorials |newspaper=[[Perth Gazette|The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=31 May 1946 |accessdate=on 22 November 2011 |page=6 |publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]}}</ref> Later that year, Mackinolty visited [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]] (BCOF) headquarters in Japan, and subsequently arranged for the RAAF to assume responsibility for the supply of spare parts to its air component, British Commonwealth Air Group (BCAIR).<ref>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 210, 216</ref> He was raised to acting [[air vice-marshal]] in January 1947 (substantive in October 1948).<ref name="ADB"/> By this time, Mackinolty and the Chief of the Air Staff, [[No. 4 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;4 Squadron AFC]] veteran Air Vice-Marshal George Jones, were the only remaining RAAF officers who had served in both world wars.<ref>Helson, ''10 Years at the Top'', p. 241</ref> Other senior commanders and veterans of the Australian Flying Corps had been summarily retired in 1946, a "purge" that was ostensibly designed to make way for the advancement of younger and equally proficient officers.<ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 179&ndash;182</ref>
Following the end of hostilities, Mackinolty was personally responsible for [[Demobilisation of the Australian military after World War II#Disposal of military equipment|disposing of surplus equipment]] up to an original value of £500, and jointly responsible (with the Business and Finance Members of the Air Board) for disposing of equipment valued between £500 and £10,000.<ref>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', p. 14</ref> His duties as AMSE extended to setting the peacetime meal rations for RAAF personnel.<ref>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', p. 113</ref> In May 1946, he joined the Australian Battlefields Memorial Committee, convened to advise the Federal government regarding commemoration of the armed forces for their wartime achievements.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50344076 |title=War memorials |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=31 May 1946 |access-date=22 November 2011 |page=6 |publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]}}</ref> Later that year, Mackinolty visited [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]] (BCOF) headquarters in Japan, and subsequently arranged for the RAAF to assume responsibility for the supply of spare parts to its air component, British Commonwealth Air Group (BCAIR).<ref>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 210, 216</ref> He was raised to acting [[air vice-marshal]] in January 1947 (substantive in October 1948).<ref name="ADB"/> By this time, Mackinolty and the Chief of the Air Staff, [[No. 4 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;4 Squadron AFC]] veteran Air Vice-Marshal George Jones, were the only remaining RAAF officers who had served in both world wars.<ref>Helson, ''10 Years at the Top'', p. 241</ref> Other senior commanders and veterans of the Australian Flying Corps had been summarily retired in 1946, a "purge" that was ostensibly designed to make way for the advancement of younger and equally proficient officers.<ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 179–182</ref>


During 1947, the RAAF prepared for the introduction of an apprentice engineering scheme. Against a harsh post-war economic climate, Mackinolty personally intervened to improve the planned accommodation for trainees, arguing that the youths could not be expected to live in the austere conditions to which other members of the Air Force were used. He further noted in his submission to the Minister for Air, [[Arthur Drakeford]], that "the parents of apprentices will, from time to time, be permitted to visit their sons and it would be in the interest of both the Apprentice Scheme and the Service generally if all reasonable efforts were made to create a favourable impression in the minds of the parents".<ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''From the Ground Up'', pp. 29&ndash;32</ref> Shortly after the first intake of engineer apprentices in January 1948, Mackinolty formally proposed that a similar scheme be set up for apprenticeships in the supply and clerical trades. Although initially rejected by the Minister, after some refinements the plan eventually came to fruition three years later as the Junior Equipment and Administrative Training Scheme.<ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''From the Ground Up'', pp. 90&ndash;95</ref>
During 1947, the RAAF prepared for the introduction of an apprentice engineering scheme. Against a harsh post-war economic climate, Mackinolty personally intervened to improve the planned accommodation for trainees, arguing that the youths could not be expected to live in the austere conditions to which other members of the Air Force were used. He further noted in his submission to the Minister for Air, [[Arthur Drakeford]], that "the parents of apprentices will, from time to time, be permitted to visit their sons and it would be in the interest of both the Apprentice Scheme and the Service generally if all reasonable efforts were made to create a favourable impression in the minds of the parents".<ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''From the Ground Up'', pp. 29–32</ref> Shortly after the first intake of engineer apprentices in January 1948, Mackinolty formally proposed that a similar scheme be set up for apprenticeships in the supply and clerical trades. Although initially rejected by the Minister, after some refinements the plan came to fruition three years later as the Junior Equipment and Administrative Training Scheme.<ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''From the Ground Up'', pp. 90–95</ref>


In January 1951, Mackinolty was struck down suddenly with cancer and admitted to hospital at [[RAAF Williams#RAAF Williams Laverton Base|RAAF Station Laverton]], Victoria. He died there on 24&nbsp;February, survived by his wife and children. At the time of his death, he had served for a decade as honorary treasurer of the [[Returned and Services League of Australia|Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmens' Imperial League of Australia]].<ref name="ADB"/><ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/> He was succeeded as AMSE by Air Vice-Marshal [[Joe Hewitt (RAAF officer)|Joe Hewitt]].<ref>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', p. 500</ref> Described by Air Force historian Alan Stephens as "the most significant logistics officer in the history of the RAAF",<ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', p. 7</ref> Mackinolty was accorded an Air Force funeral with full honours at Bathurst Memorial Chapel, [[Elsternwick, Victoria|Elsternwick]], and cremated at [[Springvale Botanical Cemetery|Springvale Crematorium]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23054207 |title=Pioneer of the air dies |newspaper=[[The Argus (Australia)|The Argus]] |location=Melbourne |date=26 February 1951 |accessdate=on 22 November 2011 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In January 1951, Mackinolty was struck down suddenly with cancer and admitted to hospital at [[RAAF Williams#RAAF Williams, Laverton|RAAF Station Laverton]], Victoria. He died there on 24&nbsp;February, survived by his wife and children.<ref name="ADB"/><ref name="Stephens & Isaacs"/> At the time of his death, he had served for a decade as honorary treasurer of the [[Returned and Services League of Australia|Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmens' Imperial League of Australia]], and was the last member of the original staff of the AFC in 1914 still serving.<ref name="ADB"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27023127 |title=Air Force chief dies in Victoria |newspaper=[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]] |location=Hobart |date=26 February 1951 |access-date=2 June 2016 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He was succeeded as AMSE by Air Vice-Marshal [[Joe Hewitt (RAAF officer)|Joe Hewitt]].<ref>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', p. 500</ref> Described by Air Force historian Alan Stephens as "the most significant logistics officer in the history of the RAAF",<ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', p. 7</ref> Mackinolty was accorded an Air Force funeral with full honours at Bathurst Memorial Chapel, [[Elsternwick, Victoria|Elsternwick]], and cremated at [[Springvale Botanical Cemetery|Springvale Crematorium]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23054207 |title=Pioneer of the air dies |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |location=Melbourne |date=26 February 1951 |access-date=22 November 2011 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|30em}}


==References==
==References==
* {{cite book | year = 2000| title = How Not to Run an Air Force! The Higher Command of the Royal Australian Air Force During the Second World War: Volume 1| url = http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publications/Details/241/How-Not-To-Run-An-Air-Force-Volume-1.aspx| last = Ashworth | first=Norman| publisher = RAAF Air Power Studies Centre | location = Canberra | isbn =0-642-26550-X}}
* {{cite book | year = 2000| title = How Not to Run an Air Force! The Higher Command of the Royal Australian Air Force During the Second World War: Volume 1| url = http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publications/Details/241/How-Not-To-Run-An-Air-Force-Volume-1.aspx| last = Ashworth | first=Norman| publisher = RAAF Air Power Studies Centre | location = Canberra | isbn =0-642-26550-X}}
*{{cite book|last=Coulthard-Clark| first=Chris|year=1997| title=From the Ground Up: The Training of RAAF Technical Ground Staff, 1948&ndash;1993|location=Canberra| publisher=RAAF Air Power Studies Centre|url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publications/Details/218/From-the-Ground-Up-The-training-of-RAAF-technical-ground-staff-19481993.aspx|isbn=0-642-26509-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Coulthard-Clark| first=Chris|year=1997| title=From the Ground Up: The Training of RAAF Technical Ground Staff, 1948–1993|location=Canberra| publisher=RAAF Air Power Studies Centre|url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publications/Details/218/From-the-Ground-Up-The-training-of-RAAF-technical-ground-staff-19481993.aspx|isbn=0-642-26509-7}}
*{{cite book|last=Coulthard-Clark| first=Chris|year=1991| title=The Third Brother: The Royal Australian Air Force 1921–39| location=North Sydney| publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]]|isbn=0-04-442307-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Coulthard-Clark| first=Chris|year=1991| title=The Third Brother: The Royal Australian Air Force 1921–39| location=North Sydney| publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]]|isbn=0-04-442307-1}}
*{{cite book|last=Cutlack | first=F.M.| origyear=1923|year=1941| title=The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (11th edition): Volume VIII – The Australian Flying Corps in the Western and Eastern Theatres of War, 1914–1918 | location=Sydney| publisher=[[Angus & Robertson]]|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/first_world_war/volume.asp?levelID=67894|isbn=|oclc=220900299}}
* {{cite book|last=Cutlack | first=F.M.| orig-year=1923|year=1941| title=The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (11th edition): Volume VIII&nbsp;– The Australian Flying Corps in the Western and Eastern Theatres of War, 1914–1918 | location=Sydney| publisher=[[Angus & Robertson]]|url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1069925/|oclc=220900299}}
*{{cite book|last=Gillison | first=Douglas |year=1962| title=Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series Three (Air) Volume I – Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942 | location=Canberra| publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]]|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/second_world_war/volume.asp?levelID=67912|isbn=|oclc=2000369}}
* {{cite book|last=Gillison | first=Douglas |year=1962| title=Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series Three (Air) Volume I&nbsp;– Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942 | location=Canberra| publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]]|url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070209/|oclc=2000369}}
*{{cite thesis | degree =Ph. D| author = Helson, Peter | title = Ten Years at the Top | publisher = [[University of New South Wales]] | location=Sydney|year = 2006 | url = http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/38729|oclc=225531223}}
* {{cite thesis | degree =Ph. D| author = Helson, Peter | title = Ten Years at the Top | publisher = [[University of New South Wales]] | location=Sydney|year = 2006 | url = http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/38729|oclc=225531223}}
*{{cite book|last=Roylance| first=Derek|year=1991| title=Air Base Richmond| location=RAAF Base Richmond| publisher=Royal Australian Air Force|isbn=0-646-05212-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Roylance| first=Derek|year=1991| title=Air Base Richmond| location=RAAF Base Richmond| publisher=Royal Australian Air Force|isbn=0-646-05212-8}}
*{{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan| year=1995| title=Going Solo: The Royal Australian Air Force 1946–1971|location=Canberra|publisher=Aust. Govt. Pub. Service|isbn=0-644-42803-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan| year=1995| title=Going Solo: The Royal Australian Air Force 1946–1971|location=Canberra|publisher=[[Australian Government Publishing Service]]|isbn=0-644-42803-1}}
*{{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan|origyear=2001|year=2006| title=The Royal Australian Air Force: A History| location=London| publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=0-19-555541-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan|orig-year=2001|year=2006| title=The Royal Australian Air Force: A History| location=London| publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=0-19-555541-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan| coauthors=Isaacs, Jeff | year=1996| title=High Fliers: Leaders of the Royal Australian Air Force|location=Canberra|publisher=Aust. Govt. Pub. Service|isbn=0-644-45682-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan|author2=Isaacs, Jeff | year=1996| title=High Fliers: Leaders of the Royal Australian Air Force|location=Canberra|publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service|isbn=0-644-45682-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Sutherland|first=Barry (ed.)|title=Command and Leadership in War and Peace 1914–1975: The Proceedings of the 1999 RAAF History Conference|publisher=Air Power Studies Centre|location=Canberra|year=2000|isbn=0-642-26537-2|url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publications/List/35/Conference-Proceedings.aspx?page=1}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Sutherland|editor-first=Barry |title=Command and Leadership in War and Peace 1914–1975: The Proceedings of the 1999 RAAF History Conference|publisher=Air Power Studies Centre|location=Canberra|year=2000|isbn=0-642-26537-2 |url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publications/Details/206/RAAF-History-Conference-1999-Command-and-Leadership-in-War-and-Peace-1914-1975.aspx}}
*{{cite book|last=Wilson| first=David|year=2005| title=The Brotherhood of Airmen| location=Crows Nest, New South Wales| publisher=Allen & Unwin |isbn=1-74114-333-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Wilson| first=David|year=2005| title=The Brotherhood of Airmen| location=Crows Nest, New South Wales| publisher=Allen & Unwin |isbn=1-74114-333-0}}


{{Good article}}
{{Good article}}


{{authority control}}
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->

{{Persondata
|NAME = Mackinolty, George
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = [[Air Vice Marshal]] George John William Mackinolty
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Senior [[Royal Australian Air Force]] commander
|DATE OF BIRTH = 24 March 1895
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Leongatha, Victoria|Leongatha]], Victoria
|DATE OF DEATH = 24 February 1951
|PLACE OF DEATH = [[Laverton, Victoria|Laverton]], Victoria}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mackinolty, George}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mackinolty, George}}
[[Category:1895 births]]
[[Category:1895 births]]
Line 86: Line 84:
[[Category:Australian Army officers]]
[[Category:Australian Army officers]]
[[Category:Australian military personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Australian military personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Australian Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:People from Victoria (Australia)]]
[[Category:People from Leongatha]]
[[Category:Royal Australian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Royal Australian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II]]

Latest revision as of 21:45, 21 August 2024

George John William Mackinolty
Half-portrait of man in dark military uniform with peaked cap, carrying gloves in left hand
Air Vice-Marshal George Mackinolty in London, 1948
Born(1895-03-24)24 March 1895
Leongatha, Victoria
Died24 February 1951(1951-02-24) (aged 55)
Laverton, Victoria
AllegianceAustralia
Service / branchRoyal Australian Air Force
Years of service1914–51
RankAir Vice-Marshal
UnitCentral Flying School (1914–15)
No. 30 Squadron RFC (1915–16)
No. 2 Squadron AFC (1916–17)
No. 5 Squadron AFC (1917)
No. 1 Aircraft Depot (1921–24)
No. 3 Squadron (1925–29)
CommandsTransport & Equipment Directorate (1929–35)
Equipment Directorate (1935–40)
Supply Directorate (1940–42)
Supply & Equipment Branch (1942–51)
Battles / wars
AwardsOfficer of the Order of the British Empire
Mentioned in Despatches

Air Vice-Marshal George John William Mackinolty, OBE (24 March 1895 – 24 February 1951) was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Commencing his service in the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) as a mechanic during World War I, he rose to become the RAAF's chief logistics officer for more than twenty years. Mackinolty was born in Victoria and joined the AFC in 1914. He first saw active duty the following year in the Middle East with No. 30 Squadron Royal Flying Corps (formerly the Mesopotamian Half Flight). In 1916 he was mentioned in despatches and posted to No. 2 Squadron AFC. By the end of the war he had been commissioned a second lieutenant.

Joining the newly formed RAAF in August 1921, Mackinolty established himself as the service's senior logistician between the wars, first as Director of Transport and Equipment from 1929 to 1935, and thereafter as Director of Equipment. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1937. Soon after the outbreak of World War II, he became Director of Supply and was promoted to group captain. In June 1942 he was raised to acting air commodore and appointed the Air Member for Supply and Equipment (AMSE). Promoted to air vice-marshal in 1948, Mackinolty continued to serve as AMSE until his sudden death from cancer in February 1951, aged fifty-five.

Early life and World War I

[edit]

Born on 24 March 1895 at Leongatha, Victoria, Mackinolty was the son of labourer James Mickleburg Mackinolty and his wife Mary. He went to public schools, obtaining his merit certificate before undertaking formal engineering and business courses in Melbourne. Commencing his working life as a coach and motor-body builder, he enlisted in the Australian Military Forces on 17 August 1914, soon after the outbreak of World War I.[1][2] His experience in the motor industry led to assignment as an air mechanic with the Aviation Instructional Staff at Central Flying School (CFS), Point Cook.[1][3] He was soon promoted from private to corporal and later, having gained a reputation for his skill with timber, raised to sergeant and given command of the school's woodworking team.[2][3]

Group portrait of nineteen men, including six in military uniforms with peaked caps, in front of a biplane in a hangar
Sergeant Mackinolty (third row, left), Private Murphy (fourth row, left), Captain Petre, Lieutenant Harrison, Captain White (second row, third, fourth, fifth from left), Lieutenant Williams (front row, left) at CFS, August 1914

On 1 August 1915, Mackinolty transferred to the Australian Imperial Force, to lead a team of thirteen other mechanics as reinforcements for an Australian Flying Corps contingent serving in the Mesopotamian campaign.[1] He departed Melbourne nine days later aboard RMS Persia, and arrived at Basra on 1 September.[4][5] Mackinolty's team immediately joined No. 30 Squadron Royal Flying Corps (originally the Mesopotamian Half Flight AFC), which moved into the city of Kut after its capture by British Empire troops in the Battle of Es Sinn. The unit took part in the Battle of Ctesiphon in November, and organised supply drops to the British and Indian garrison in Kut during the siege that lasted from December 1915 until the following April.[6][7]

Mackinolty was promoted in the field to flight sergeant in June 1916, and mentioned in despatches on 19 October.[2][8] When the Australian members of No. 30 Squadron were dispersed, he was posted to Kantara, Egypt, where he joined the newly established No. 2 Squadron AFC (also numbered No. 68 Squadron RFC by the British). Commanded by Major Oswald Watt, the unit relocated to England in January 1917.[9][10] Following his service with No. 2 Squadron, Mackinolty was assigned to No. 5 (Training) Squadron AFC, which formed at Shawbury, Shropshire, in June 1917.[11][12] Praised for his organisational and leadership abilities, he was commissioned as an equipment officer in March 1918, with the rank of second lieutenant. The following month he was given command of an aircraft repair unit in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire,[1] home of two squadrons of the AFC's 1st Training Wing.[13]

Between the wars

[edit]

Mackinolty remained in England following the end of hostilities, serving as "officer in charge of Australian packing" at RAF Hendon, near London, from December 1919 to September 1920. In this role he was responsible for crating and shipping to Point Cook the 128 aircraft and associated spares, weaponry, vehicles, hangars and other equipment that made up Britain's post-war Imperial Gift of Royal Air Force surplus to Australia, which eventually filled 19,000 cases.[2][14] Mackinolty also completed formal training in aeronautical engineering before returning to Melbourne in October 1920. Discharged from the AIF in January 1921, he worked in the automotive industry and took a correspondence course on internal combustion engines.[1]

Side view of single-engined biplane surrounded by five men
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 fighter in Victoria, part of Britain's post-war "Imperial Gift" to Australia for which Mackinolty organised shipping in 1920

On 8 August 1921, Mackinolty was commissioned as a flying officer in the newly formed Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). A member of the Stores and Accounting Branch, he commenced service with No. 1 Aircraft Depot at Point Cook in December.[2][15] He was assigned to the staff of RAAF Headquarters, Melbourne, in 1924. On 20 November that year, he married Eileen Moore at Christ Church, South Yarra; the couple had a son and a daughter.[1] In 1925, Mackinolty was posted as Equipment Officer to No. 3 Squadron at the recently established RAAF Station Richmond, New South Wales.[1][16] Promoted flight lieutenant, he was appointed Director of Transport and Equipment at RAAF Headquarters in 1929, effectively making him the Air Force's senior supply officer, a role he would occupy for the next twenty-two years.[2] His continuous tenure in essentially the one post was comparable to the RAAF's other chief logistician, Squadron Leader (later Air Vice-Marshal) Ellis Wackett, who served as its senior engineer for twenty-four years, from 1935 to 1959.[17][18]

Mackinolty's position was redesignated Director of Equipment in April 1935.[2][19] At around this time, he collaborated with Squadron Leader George Jones, then Director of Training, on an investigation into the state of aircraft production in Australia to highlight shortfalls in local defence in the face of possible future conflict with Japan. Though the report was reviewed enthusiastically by the Air Member for Personnel, Wing Commander Bill Anderson, it apparently went no further in the chain of command and thus was effectively ignored.[20] Raised to squadron leader, Mackinolty was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Coronation Honours on 11 May 1937, in recognition of his achievements in stores and accounting.[2][21] In February the following year he was promoted to wing commander.[19] The punctilious Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Richard Williams, sometimes complained that Mackinolty did not pay enough attention to his personal appearance, but never failed to acknowledge his "professional excellence".[17]

World War II and after

[edit]

In April 1940 Mackinolty became Director of Supply, reporting to the Director-General of Supply and Production on the Air Board, the RAAF's controlling body. Responsible for all stores and equipment, Mackinolty also represented his service at the Federal Contract Board, Department of Supply, and Oil Board.[22][23] He was promoted to temporary group captain in June that year.[19] With the formation in 1942 of Allied Air Forces Headquarters, which assumed the operational functions of the Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Board was reorganised. The offices of Air Member for Organisation and Equipment, once held by Air Marshal Richard Williams, and Director-General of Supply and Production, a civilian position, were dissolved and replaced by those of the Air Member for Supply and Equipment (AMSE) and Air Member for Engineering and Maintenance (AMEM) to focus on the two key logistical functions of supply and engineering, respectively.[24][25] Promoted to acting air commodore, Mackinolty became the inaugural AMSE in June.[1] Air Commodore Ellis Wackett became AMEM at the same time. Norman Ashworth, in How Not to Run an Air Force!, observed that splitting the logistical functions of the Air Board in this manner appeared to be a "uniquely Australian" experiment, and it was not inconceivable that the organisation had been "tailored" to suit these "two very capable officers".[26] Serving as AMSE for the remainder of the war, Mackinolty was credited with successfully managing the supply requirements of personnel and aircraft for an organisation that by 1945 had grown by a factor of fifty from its pre-war size, to become the world's fourth largest air force.[2][27]

Full-length outdoor portrait of four men in light-coloured military uniforms
Air Commodore Mackinolty (far left) with members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Australia (JCOSA) after their tour of inspection of 34th Infantry Brigade in Hiro, Japan, September 1946

Following the end of hostilities, Mackinolty was personally responsible for disposing of surplus equipment up to an original value of £500, and jointly responsible (with the Business and Finance Members of the Air Board) for disposing of equipment valued between £500 and £10,000.[28] His duties as AMSE extended to setting the peacetime meal rations for RAAF personnel.[29] In May 1946, he joined the Australian Battlefields Memorial Committee, convened to advise the Federal government regarding commemoration of the armed forces for their wartime achievements.[30] Later that year, Mackinolty visited British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) headquarters in Japan, and subsequently arranged for the RAAF to assume responsibility for the supply of spare parts to its air component, British Commonwealth Air Group (BCAIR).[31] He was raised to acting air vice-marshal in January 1947 (substantive in October 1948).[1] By this time, Mackinolty and the Chief of the Air Staff, No. 4 Squadron AFC veteran Air Vice-Marshal George Jones, were the only remaining RAAF officers who had served in both world wars.[32] Other senior commanders and veterans of the Australian Flying Corps had been summarily retired in 1946, a "purge" that was ostensibly designed to make way for the advancement of younger and equally proficient officers.[33]

During 1947, the RAAF prepared for the introduction of an apprentice engineering scheme. Against a harsh post-war economic climate, Mackinolty personally intervened to improve the planned accommodation for trainees, arguing that the youths could not be expected to live in the austere conditions to which other members of the Air Force were used. He further noted in his submission to the Minister for Air, Arthur Drakeford, that "the parents of apprentices will, from time to time, be permitted to visit their sons and it would be in the interest of both the Apprentice Scheme and the Service generally if all reasonable efforts were made to create a favourable impression in the minds of the parents".[34] Shortly after the first intake of engineer apprentices in January 1948, Mackinolty formally proposed that a similar scheme be set up for apprenticeships in the supply and clerical trades. Although initially rejected by the Minister, after some refinements the plan came to fruition three years later as the Junior Equipment and Administrative Training Scheme.[35]

In January 1951, Mackinolty was struck down suddenly with cancer and admitted to hospital at RAAF Station Laverton, Victoria. He died there on 24 February, survived by his wife and children.[1][2] At the time of his death, he had served for a decade as honorary treasurer of the Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmens' Imperial League of Australia, and was the last member of the original staff of the AFC in 1914 still serving.[1][36] He was succeeded as AMSE by Air Vice-Marshal Joe Hewitt.[37] Described by Air Force historian Alan Stephens as "the most significant logistics officer in the history of the RAAF",[38] Mackinolty was accorded an Air Force funeral with full honours at Bathurst Memorial Chapel, Elsternwick, and cremated at Springvale Crematorium.[39]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Stephens, Alan. "Mackinolty, George John William (1895–1951)". Australian Dictionary of Biography Online. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Stephens; Isaacs, High Fliers, pp. 104–107
  3. ^ a b Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, p. xvi
  4. ^ "George John William Mackinolty". The AIF Project. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  5. ^ Cutlack, The Australian Flying Corps, p. 25
  6. ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 6–8
  7. ^ Wilson, The Brotherhood of Airmen, pp. 6–9
  8. ^ "No. 29789". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 October 1916. pp. 10047–10049.
  9. ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 6–8,16–17
  10. ^ "2 Squadron AFC". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  11. ^ "Air Vice-Marshals (L-Z)". Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  12. ^ "5 (Training) Squadron AFC". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  13. ^ Sutherland, Command and Leadership in War and Peace, pp. 36–41
  14. ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, p. 31
  15. ^ Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, p. 42
  16. ^ Roylance, Air Base Richmond, p. 21
  17. ^ a b Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 179–180
  18. ^ Stephens; Isaacs, High Fliers, pp. 97–99
  19. ^ a b c Ashworth, How Not to Run an Air Force!, p. 296
  20. ^ Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, p. 445
  21. ^ "No. 34396". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 May 1937. p. 3088.
  22. ^ Ashworth, How Not to Run an Air Force, pp. 3, 296
  23. ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942, p. 94
  24. ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942, p. 479
  25. ^ Ashworth, How Not to Run an Air Force!, pp. 130–132
  26. ^ Ashworth, How Not to Run an Air Force!, pp. 132, 137
  27. ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 170–171
  28. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, p. 14
  29. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, p. 113
  30. ^ "War memorials". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 31 May 1946. p. 6. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  31. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 210, 216
  32. ^ Helson, 10 Years at the Top, p. 241
  33. ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 179–182
  34. ^ Coulthard-Clark, From the Ground Up, pp. 29–32
  35. ^ Coulthard-Clark, From the Ground Up, pp. 90–95
  36. ^ "Air Force chief dies in Victoria". The Mercury. Hobart: National Library of Australia. 26 February 1951. p. 3. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  37. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, p. 500
  38. ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, p. 7
  39. ^ "Pioneer of the air dies". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 26 February 1951. p. 5. Retrieved 22 November 2011.

References

[edit]