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{{Short description|New Zealand aviator and military leader (1902– 1993)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Cyrus Kay
|image= Cyril Kay.jpg
|image_size= 300px
|alt= 
|caption= Cyrus Kay
|birth_name= Cyril Eyton Kay
|nickname= 
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1902|06|25|df=yes}}
|birth_place= [[Auckland]], New Zealand
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1993|04|29|1902|06|25|df=yes}}
|death_place= [[London]], United Kingdom
|placeofburial= 
|allegiance= New Zealand
|branch= [[Royal Air Force]] (1926–1931)<br/>[[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] (1935–1958)
|serviceyears= 1926–1931<br/>1935–1958
|rank= [[Air Vice-Marshal]]
|servicenumber= 
|unit= 
|commands= [[Chief of Air Force (New Zealand)|Chief of the Air Staff]] (1956–58)<br/>[[Wigram Aerodrome|Wigram Air Base]] (1944–46)<br/>[[RNZAF Base Ohakea|Ohakea Air Base]] (1943–44)<br/>[[No. 75 Squadron RAF|No. 75 Squadron]] (1940–41) 
|battles= [[Second World War]]
|awards= [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]<br/>[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]
|relations= 
|laterwork= 
}}
[[Air Vice-Marshal]] '''Cyril Eyton Kay''', {{post-nominals|country=NZL|size=100|sep=,|CB|CBE|DFC}} (25 June 1902 – 29 April 1993), known as '''Cyrus Kay''', was a New Zealand aviator and military leader. Born in Auckland, Kay joined the [[Royal Air Force]] in 1926 for a five-year period of service, during which he attempted to break the record for the fastest flight from England to Australia. He remained in aviation in civilian life and was a participant in the [[MacRobertson Air Race]] of 1934.

Kay joined the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] (RNZAF) in 1935 and, on the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, he was in England preparing to ferry to New Zealand a [[Vickers Wellington]] [[bomber]] purchased by the [[First Labour Government of New Zealand|New Zealand government]] for the RNZAF. He became part of [[No. 75 Squadron RAF|No. 75 Squadron]], flying Wellingtons on bombing operations. Awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] for his performance on one such operation, he later commanded the squadron for several months. Later in the war he served in New Zealand as commander of a number of RNZAF bases. After the war, he remained in the RNZAF, rising to the rank of air vice-marshal and serving as [[Chief of Air Force (New Zealand)|Chief of the Air Staff]] from 1956 until his retirement in 1958. He died in London, aged 90.

==Early life==
Cyril Eyton Kay, usually known as Cyrus, was born in [[Auckland]], New Zealand, on 25 June 1902. His parents were David Kay, an accountant, and his wife Mary {{nee|Butts}}. The Kay family later lived in [[Devonport, New Zealand|Devonport]] and [[Māngere]]. He was educated at [[Auckland University of Technology|Seddon Memorial Technical College]]. While a student, he experienced flying for the first time. Going farming after completing his schooling, he soon applied to join the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, the precursor to the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] (RNZAF). Unsuccessful, he went to England in an attempt to join the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF).<ref name="DNZB Kay">{{DNZB|title=Cyril Eyton Kay|first= Brian|last= Lockstone|id=5k5|accessdate=23 April 2017}}</ref>{{sfn|McGibbon|2000|p=459}}

==Military career==
With the support of [[John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe]], the former [[Governor-General of New Zealand]], Kay was granted a five-year short service [[Officer (armed forces)|commission]] in the RAF on 14 July 1926. Attending the [[Central Flying School]] he achieved an 'above average' rating on graduation. He served on [[Close air support|army co-operation]] duties and also became an expert in [[meteorology]] and [[navigation]]. This knowledge and experience was helpful when he attempted to break the record of 15 days, 12 hours, for flying from England to Australia in 1930 with H. Piper, another New Zealander serving in the RAF, as a co-pilot. The duo departed on 9 February in a [[Desoutter Aircraft Company|Desoutter]] [[monoplane]] purchased with funds obtained through the sale of Piper's farm in New Zealand. The flight took over six weeks to complete, arriving in [[Sydney]] on 2 April after a number of forced landings along the way. Kay described it in media as "a terrific struggle to get through".<ref name="DNZB Kay"/>{{sfn|Thompson|1953|pp=15–16}}<ref>{{cite news |title=New Zealand Airmen: Success Crowns Struggle |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19300405.2.64 |access-date=13 February 2021 |work=New Zealand Herald |volume=LXVII|issue=20532 |date=5 April 1930}}</ref> He was transferred to the [[Royal Auxiliary Air Force|RAF Reserve]] in November 1931 having completed his five year term of service.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=33776|date=1 December 1931|page=7742|nolink=yes}}</ref>

Kay became a civilian pilot, instructing at [[Digby, Lincolnshire|Digby]] in [[Lincolnshire]]. He also went to Germany, where he learnt [[Glider (aircraft)|gliding]]. In 1934, he competed in the [[MacRobertson Air Race]], a London-to-Melbourne flight, celebrating the centenary of Melbourne, flying a twin-engined [[de Havilland Dragon Rapide]], with two other New Zealanders as co-pilot and [[radio operator|wireless operator]] respectively. They finished fifth in the race, and then flew onto New Zealand and became the first persons to complete a direct flight from England to New Zealand.<ref name="DNZB Kay"/>{{sfn|Thompson|1953|pp=15–16}}

In 1935, Kay joined the RNZAF as a [[flying officer]],<ref name="DNZB Kay"/> relinquishing his commission in the RAF reserve to do so.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34254|date=11 February 1936|page=913|nolink=yes}}</ref> By 1938 he was an instructor at [[Wigram Aerodrome|Wigram Air Base]] in [[Christchurch]], teaching navigation.<ref name="DNZB Kay"/> In the [[1939 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|1939 King's Birthday Honours]], Kay was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34633 |date=8 June 1939 |page=3861 |supp=y}}</ref> By this time Kay held the rank of [[squadron leader]] and was in England, learning to fly [[Vickers Wellington]] [[bomber]]s. He was part of a group of RNZAF personnel preparing to ferry six Wellingtons, purchased by the [[First Labour Government of New Zealand|New Zealand government]] for the RNZAF, back to New Zealand.{{sfn|Thompson|1953|pp=32–33}}{{sfn|McGibbon|2000|pp=262–263}}

==Second World War==
On the outbreak of the Second World War, the New Zealand government made the Wellington bombers it had purchased, 30 in total, and the RNZAF personnel receiving training on them, available for use by the RAF. It was agreed to form a New Zealand squadron, designated [[No. 75 Squadron RAF|No. 75 Squadron]], using the New Zealanders already in England and supplemented with British flight crew as required. Ground personnel were to be provided by the RAF. While the formation of the squadron was being organised, training was now focussed on becoming operational rather than transport duties as was the case before the war.{{sfn|Thompson|1953|pp=32–34}}{{sfn|McGibbon|2000|pp=262–263}}

Despite not being officially formed until 1 April 1940, the squadron commenced operations a few days earlier, flying from [[RAF Feltwell]]. Its first mission was to drop propaganda leaflets over Northern Germany, with Kay flying one of the three Wellingtons involved.{{sfn|Thompson|1953|pp=32–34}} During the mission, his wireless failed but he was able to successfully navigate to the drop zone over [[Dorum]].{{sfn|Thompson|1953|p=35}} In June, as the fighting in France and Belgium intensified, the squadron carried out several bombing missions to targets on the [[Europe|continent]].{{sfn|Thompson|1953|p=68}} For one of these, an attack on German formations in Belgium, he was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (DFC).<ref name="DNZB Kay"/> Announced in the ''[[London Gazette]]'', the published citation read: {{Blockquote|This officer was captain of an aircraft ordered to attack important targets in the forests south of Bourlers and Baileux during a night in June. In spite of extremely difficult conditions, and in the face of severe opposition, he successfully bombed the objective, starting several fires which gave accurate direction to other aircraft of this sortie. He then descended to a low altitude and, again in the face of heavy opposition, attacked the woods with all his machine guns. Sqn. Ldr. Kay has conducted a number of operations in recent weeks and has shown daring, determination and outstanding ability.|''London Gazette'', No. 34878, 21 June 1940.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34878|date=21 June 1940|pages=3783–3784|nolink=yes}}</ref>}}

[[File:Kay gives a speech, 1941.jpg|thumb|right|Kay gives a speech at a dinner for Sergeant [[James Allen Ward|James Ward]] of No. 75 Squadron, who is seated on his right and had just been awarded the Victoria Cross]]
Kay was presented with his DFC in a ceremony at [[Buckingham Palace]] in September.<ref>{{cite news |title=Courageous Airmen – Pilots from Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19400905.2.53 |access-date=13 February 2021 |work=New Zealand Herald |volume=LXXVII|issue=23753 |date=5 September 1940}}</ref> Two months later, he took command of No. 75 Squadron after the original commander departed. He led the squadron for several months as it carried out numerous bombing operations, mainly to Germany but also to Italy.{{sfn|Thompson|1953|p=187}} In September 1941, he was posted to a headquarters role and later served on the staff of [[No. 8 Group RAF|No. 8 Bomber Group]]. In late 1942, he returned to New Zealand to take command of the RNZAF navigation school at New Plymouth.<ref name="DNZB Kay"/> Promoted to [[group captain]],<ref>{{cite news |title=More Promotions – Air Force Personnel |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19430326.2.47 |access-date=13 February 2021 |work=Auckland Star |volume=LXXIV|issue=72 |date=26 March 1943}}</ref> he later commanded the [[RNZAF Base Ohakea|Ohakea Air Base]] in 1944, before moving on to a similar position at Wigram.<ref name="DNZB Kay"/>

==Postwar period==
After the end of the war, Kay attended the [[Royal College of Defence Studies|Imperial Defence College]] and then, promoted to [[air commodore]], had a period of service on the [[Air Board (New Zealand)|Air Board]], being responsible for supply. In this capacity, he helped bring jet aircraft, such as the [[de Havilland Vampire]], into service with the RNZAF.<ref name="DNZB Kay"/>{{sfn|McGibbon|2000|p=461}} In the [[1948 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|1948 New Year Honours]], he was promoted to [[Order of the British Empire|Commander of the Order of the British Empire]].<ref>{{London Gazette |date=1 January 1948 |supp=y |issue=38162 |page=44 |nolink=yes}}</ref> In 1951 he became commander of the RNZAF headquarters in [[London]], remaining in the post for two years until returning to the Air Board, this time with responsibility for personnel.<ref name="DNZB Kay"/>

In June 1956, Kay was appointed [[Chief of Air Force (New Zealand)|chief of the air staff]] (CAS) of the RNZAF, in the rank of [[air vice-marshal]]. During his time in this role, he oversaw the disbandment of the [[New Zealand Territorial Air Force|Territorial Air Force]] and also ended compulsory military service in the RNZAF.<ref name="DNZB Kay"/>{{sfn|McGibbon|2000|p=462}} Kay was appointed a companion of the Order of the Bath in the [[1958 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|1958 New Year Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette |date=1 January 1958 |supp=y |issue=41270 |page=43}}</ref> His term as CAS ended in June 1958, at which time he retired.<ref name="DNZB Kay"/>

==Later life==
In his later years, Kay wrote an autobiography, published as ''The Restless Sky'' in 1964. His retirement years were spent in [[Wellington]] and the United Kingdom and he died in London on 29 April 1993. He was survived by his wife, Florence née Armfield, who he had married in 1932. The couple had two daughters.<ref name="DNZB Kay"/> Eyton Kay Road in [[Hobsonville]], a suburb of Auckland, is named for him.<ref>{{cite web |title=What's in a Name: Eyton Kay Road |url=https://hobsonvillepoint.co.nz/community/news/whats-in-a-name/whats-in-a-name-eyton-kay-road/ |website=Hobsonville Point |publisher=Kāinga Ora |access-date=10 February 2021}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite book|editor-last=McGibbon|editor-first=Ian|editor-link=Ian McGibbon|title=The Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History|year=2000|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Auckland, New Zealand|isbn=0-19-558376-0}}
*{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=H. L.|year=1953|title=New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force|volume=I|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-1RAF.html|series=[[Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45]]|publisher=War History Branch|location=Wellington, New Zealand|oclc=270919916}}

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{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Walter Merton]]}} 
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Air Staff (New Zealand)|Chief of the Air Staff]] ([[Royal New Zealand Air Force|RNZAF]])|years=1956–1958}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Malcolm Calder]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kay, Cyrus}}
[[Category:1902 births]]
[[Category:1993 deaths]]
[[Category:Air racers]]
[[Category:Bomber pilots]]
[[Category:New Zealand aviators]]
[[Category:New Zealand military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:New Zealand World War II pilots]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:New Zealand Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:New Zealand Companions of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Auckland]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies]]