Flt Sgt Alexander Hamilton McDonald

[Chris Goss]

He was a pilot with 403 Sqn 1941-42. Wounded 27 Sep 41, collided with his wingman 12 Feb 42 and became a politician after the war:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexan...ilton_McDonald


Interesting to know more about this pilot especially when it mentions he was shot down a number of times?

[alieneyes1]

A few things stand out.

No commission shown in the Canada Gazette. No DFC shown on Hugh's RCAF Honours and Awards database. No appearance on any RCAF casualty list in 1941. No service number shown in any of the usual places.

This is not available online but the highlighted part may help.

https://recherche-collection-search....cDonald&ecopy=

Interview of Senator Alexander Hamilton "Hammy" McDonald; former leader of the Liberal Party in Saskatchewan (1954-1959) and Minister of Agriculture and Deputy Premier of Saskatchewan (1964-1965); by author Peter Stursberg, about: his family background; settling in Saskatchewan circa 1881; William Walter McDonald (his grandfather and Conservative Member of Parliament for Assiniboia East 1892); A.H. McDonald‹ €s his childhood in Saskatchewan; his education; effects of the Depression on Saskatchewan; the barter system; the Saskatchewan economy; his experiences during World War II; joining the RCAF in September 1940; Atlantic crossing 1941; Iceland circa 1941; Sheston; England (an Operational Training Unit); Taffy Jones; Johnny Kent; McDonald's first experience flying a Spitfire over London; the RCAF during World War II; pilots' training; the lack of fighter tactics; poor flying formations; the Battle of Britain; 136 Squadron in Peterhead, Scotland; 403rd Canadian Squadron; McDonald's combat experiences as a fighter pilot 1941-1942; aircraft; Spitfires; Buzz Beurling; military commissions and the Dieppe raid.

[Chris Goss]

His 27 Sep 41 and 12 Feb 42 incidents are correct as there are Casualty Cards for them

[RSwank]

The 12 February 1942 crash incident is mentioned in this:

https://rcaf403squadron.wordpress.co...-a-h-mcdonald/

Other references in the 403 squadron records refer to him as "Hammy", so I think
this is the right McDonald.

[richard.k]

Chris. Must be this guy.

Alexander Hamilton McDonald R-70768/J-15298

Richard

[Chris Goss]

Thanks both. Sep 41 and Feb 42 are known but what about the other claims of DFC, ditching and evading?

[AndyMa]

The RAF Commands databse also has no record of him receiving a DFC:
https://www.rafcommands.com/database...qname=McDonald

[JohnE]

He was with 132 Squadron from July 1941 and joined 403 on 26. August.

/John Engelsted

[alieneyes1]

You can rule out a DFC or any other gong.

When he retired wef 6 March 1945, the Canada Gazette listed him:

https://recherche-collection-search...._p00001_z04843

Go to page 21 of 128, left hand column - you'll have to excuse the LAC for the terrible scan job - and scroll down to "T/F/L A.H. McDonald" Notice any gongs listed next to his name? Go one up to J16989 Charles Parkinson McDonald and you'll see DFC and DFM.

Having looked at his political career (1956 - 1980) in the Regina and Ottawa newspapers, there is never a time where a gong is mentioned.