Decorated pilot loved God, king and country

World War II pilot Stewart Frame later took on leadership roles in Wanganui - in business, church and community service. Photo/Supplied

Christianity and his role as a pilot in World War II were favourite themes of Wanganui man Stewart Frame, who died on April 22.

Flight Lieutenant Frame was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by England's King GeorgeVI in 1943, for his role in the desperate defence of the island of Malta. The medal meant a lot to him, because he went to war to serve God, king and country.

"People who flew with him said he was a very good leader," son Ian Frame said.

"He inspired confidence because of his strength of faith. He was a good aviator and liked the technical side of flying, and he was fastidious about keeping planes in perfect working order."

Mr Frame was one of only seven of the 33 Kiwis in his training contingent who survived the war.

He had high standards and lived up to them, Ian Frame said, but he wasn't hard on others who failed to do so. He was an absolute gentleman and treated everyone with respect.

His life wasn't all duty, either. He liked a party and a good whisky, was a successful salesman and had a great array of jokes and stories.

In Wanganui, Mr Frame took on many leadership roles and stayed active into his nineties, playing golf and writing his memoirs.

Born in Mosgiel to Scottish immigrant parents, Mr Frame had an older brother and sister. When he was eight the family moved to Petone.

He left school early for a job as a clerk but carried on studying at evening classes and passed school certificate and four accountancy subjects.

In 1935, he went to work for General Motors.

When war broke out he enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, marrying Alison Brown on his final leave in 1941.

He spent 4 years in the air force and, unlike many veterans, never minded talking about the war.

"He had the philosophy that he was doing the right thing, doing God's will, that it was a fight for good, against evil.

"That gave him strength right through his life."

The couple had two children: Margaret, born in 1944, and Ian, born in 1947.

On returning to New Zealand, Mr Frame resumed working for General Motors. He and Alison shifted to Wanganui, her parents' home, in 1948. He started as the sales manager for General Machinery.

By 1966, he was its general manager. He was also active in schools, Scouts, sports clubs, St Paul's Presbyterian church, the Chamber of Commerce and a Wanganui lodge.

After he retired he threw himself into Rotary. Ian Frame said he loved its "service above self" motto. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1987.

Alison died in 2010, after they had been married for 69 years.

In 2012, he was one of 21 veterans to attend a service at El Alamein honouring New Zealanders buried there. He also published a memoir of his war years, In Quietness & Confidence: Memories of World War II.

A car accident precipitated his move to Wanganui's Kowhainui Home that year.

Mr Frame was playing golf up until six weeks before his death. About 200 business, church, veteran and lodge connections attended his funeral on April 24.

He was buried alongside his wife at Aramoho Cemetery, and is survived by his two children and two grandsons.