On the 28th May 1893, Donald Maclaren was born in Canada. In 1914, Donald, his father and his brother had opened a fur trading post but by 1916 this was closed to help the war effort instead. Donald joined the Royal Flying Corps.
In November 1917, after extensive training, Donald was sent to France. His first combat mission didn't take place until February where he shot down a German fighter plane. By March 1918, Donald had helped destroy a railway gun, then go on to shoot down a balloon as well as two German LVG two seaters. For this he was awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
When his Squadron Commander was killed in a crash, Donald was promoted to the role. In late October, whilst competing in a friendly wrestling match with his comrades, Donald broke his leg and was subsequently sent back to hospital in England. He was still there when the Armistice news filtered through.
By the end of the war Donald had seen just seven months of combat. However in this time he had a Military Cross & Bar, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the DSO, the French Legion of Honour and the Croix De Guerre to his name.
After the war, Donald spent two years in command of the Canadian pilots stationed in England with the Royal Canadian Airforce before later forming Pacific Airways. He died on the 4th July 1988 in British Columbia aged 95.
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Friday, 26 June 2015
Sunday, 5 October 2014
Life AT War - Day to Day
1st October 1914
The first division of Canadian troops, more then 33,000 men have set sail for Britain. Most of these are volunteers said to be anxious to prove their loyalty to the Commonwealth.
The first division of Canadian troops, more then 33,000 men have set sail for Britain. Most of these are volunteers said to be anxious to prove their loyalty to the Commonwealth.
Monday, 4 August 2014
Life AT War - Day by Day
4th August 1914
From the minute Britain were told Belgium had been invaded and war declared on France, they have been putting their faith in the Empire Brotherhood, that they will stand in and help win war against Germany. The British Empire covers a staggering 11,400,000 square miles of territory, reigning over 410,000 million people. These include India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia, Hong Kong, Gibraltar, several islands in the West Indies and various colonies on the African Coast.
Britain needs the empires manpower, surplus food and economic strength to stand any chance of victory against Germany... Britain has declared war on Germany.
Without Britain's empire she would have had to admit defeat without a doubt. Apart from Britain's large naval fleet, the rest of her army were tiny compared with Germany. Britain's Empire stood by her when she needed them most and more importantly they kept her going all the way through. We therefore owe the countries and islands that were in the empire from 1914 - 1918 a huge debt and will be eternally grateful. On Remembrance Sunday later in the year, spare a thought for the people of the Empire that chose to help Britain gain victory. To those that were lost in Flander's fields, to those that sustained injury during battle and to those that stayed in their homeland working tirelessly to make food and other much needed supplies for Britain - We Salute You
From the minute Britain were told Belgium had been invaded and war declared on France, they have been putting their faith in the Empire Brotherhood, that they will stand in and help win war against Germany. The British Empire covers a staggering 11,400,000 square miles of territory, reigning over 410,000 million people. These include India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia, Hong Kong, Gibraltar, several islands in the West Indies and various colonies on the African Coast.
Britain needs the empires manpower, surplus food and economic strength to stand any chance of victory against Germany... Britain has declared war on Germany.
Without Britain's empire she would have had to admit defeat without a doubt. Apart from Britain's large naval fleet, the rest of her army were tiny compared with Germany. Britain's Empire stood by her when she needed them most and more importantly they kept her going all the way through. We therefore owe the countries and islands that were in the empire from 1914 - 1918 a huge debt and will be eternally grateful. On Remembrance Sunday later in the year, spare a thought for the people of the Empire that chose to help Britain gain victory. To those that were lost in Flander's fields, to those that sustained injury during battle and to those that stayed in their homeland working tirelessly to make food and other much needed supplies for Britain - We Salute You
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)