Frederick McCall

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Frederick Robert Gordon McCall
Born	4 December 1896 Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Died	2 January 1949 West Vancouver, British Columbia
Occupation	Aviator

Frederick Robert Gordon McCall MC and Bar DSO DFC (4 December 1896 - 2 January 1949) was a Canadian air ace during 1918, with 35 confirmed and two unconfirmed victories.^[1]

Born in Vernon, British Columbia, in February 1916 McCall enlisted with the 175th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

McCall received a commission as a Lieutenant pilot trainee in March 1917, and in December was assigned to No. XIII Squadron RAF on the Western Front, flying the Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.7 reconnaissance aircraft with F.C. Farrington.

McCall's first aerial victory occurred while flying the R.E.8, shooting down a German aircraft. McCall was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty", and two weeks later the accompanying Bar for downing an enemy scout aircraft while on a mission to take photographs.

McCall was next transferred to No. 41 Squadron RAF and began flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after scoring four "kills" in May 1918. On 28 June 1918 McCall downed four enemy aircraft. On 30 June 1918 now Captain McCall downed five more Germans, four in the morning and the fifth that evening. For this McCall was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

The armistice ending WWI was signed while McCall was in Canada to recuperate from illness.

Following the armistice McCall embarked upon a variety of civil aviation ventures, ranging from stunt flying to management of his own company, McCall Aero Corporation Limited (formed in 1920). With this company McCall flew commercial freight and passengers across Canada. McCall also worked to encourage the formation of Canadian flying clubs in the inter-war years.

With the arrival of the Second World War McCall was recalled to service with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Squadron Leader, based at numerous western Canadian bases.

McCall died in Calgary Alberta on January,22, 1949 at the age of 52.