Gordon McGregor

Gordon Roy McGregor, CC OBE DFC (September 26, 1901 – March 3, 1971) was a Canadian businessman and the first president of Air Canada.

For the first president of Ford Motor Company of Canada, see Gordon Morton McGregor. For the New Zealand cricketer, see Gordon McGregor (cricketer).
Gordon Roy McGregor
Born(1901-09-26)September 26, 1901
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DiedMarch 3, 1971(1971-03-03) (aged 69)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
OccupationBusinessman
Known forFirst president of Air Canada
AwardsOrder of Canada
Order of the British Empire

Early life

Born in Montreal, Quebec, he graduated from McGill University in 1923 with a degree in Engineering. From 1923 until 1939 he worked for the Bell Telephone Company becoming Central District Manager. His flying career began at Kingston, Ontario in 1932 and the following year he gained his pilot's license at Ottawa.

Military service

In 1936 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Reserve and obtained his RCAF wing in 1938 and was promoted to Flying Officer. His promotions were Flight Lieutenant (1940), Flight Lieutenant (1940), Squadron Leader (1940), Wing Commander (1941) and Group Captain (1942). He was released from service on November 27, 1945.

During the Battle of Britain, he flew Hurricanes in No. 401 Squadron RCAF, and was its top scoring pilot, being credited with five victories.

Post War career

In 1946, he joined Trans-Canada Air Lines and later was named president serving until 1968.

Honours and decorations

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, made an Officer of Order of the British Empire, made a Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords (Netherlands), awarded the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star (France), awarded the Czechoslovak War Cross 1939-1945 and was Mentioned in Dispatches three times.

In 1968 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. In 1973 he was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. In 2004 he was inducted into Canada's Business Hall of Fame.

The Royal Canadian Air Force Association's Gordon R. McGregor Trophy is named in his honour.

References
  • "Gordon R. McGregor, C.C." Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. Retrieved January 29, 2005.
  • "McGregor, Gordon R." St. Andrew's College. Archived from the original on May 28, 2005. Retrieved January 29, 2005.
  • "Gordon Roy McGregor". Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 29, 2005.
  • "2004 Laureates". Canadian Business Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 21, 2005. Retrieved January 29, 2005.
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