Remembering World War II

Name: John Joseph MacDonald Rank: Civilian Radio Operator Service Number: Civilian Service: Canadian Air Transport Auxiliary, Royal Air Force Ferry Command Date of Birth: 1908 Place of Birth: Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Address at Enlistment: 165 St. Charles St, Longueuil, Quebec Marital Status: Married Date of Death: August 14, 1941 Age: 33 Cemetery: Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland Grave: Section R, 1931 Div. Coll. grave 2750-2763 John is not commemorated in the Second World War Books of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa John Joseph MacDonald was born in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1908. Little is known of John’s youth but prior to his wartime service, John had worked for Trans-Canada Airways out of St. Hubert, Quebec, and the Department of Transport in Canso, Nova Scotia, and most recently at the Newfoundland Airport. He had been working in Gander, Newfoundland and was one of five Radio Operators who made the move to assist Ferry Command’s efforts to get aircraft from North America to the desperately needing United Kingdom. A second man with ties to Nova Scotia who was also a casualty of Liberator AM260, Richard Coates, lived and worked in Halifax County, and served as a Civilian Radio Operator with Ferry Command. Richard’s story includes details of the other 20 casualties of the crash (22 in all). Information on the other casualties aboard the aircraft are detailed it Richard Coates’ story. John was interred at the Ayr Cemetery in South Ayrshire, Scotland. There is also a Royal Air Force Ferry Command Memorial Plaque in Dorval, Quebec at the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. The inscription reads, IN COMMEMORATION TO THE MEN OF ROYAL AIR FORCE FERRY COMMAND WHO UNDER DIFFICULT AND ADVERSE CONDITIONS FERRIED AIRCRAFT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM THUS, GREATLY HELPING TO ACHIEVE FINAL VICTORY THIS PLAQUE IS ALSO DEDICATED TO THE MANY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THIS SERVICE FOR THEIR COUNTRY. 'We trust Heavenly Father their last flight was successful."

John Joseph MacDonald

Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission findagrave