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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

James Arthur MacDonald

In memory of:

Flying Officer James Arthur MacDonald

February 7, 1944
France

Military Service

Service Number:

J/18187

Age:

25

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

198 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.

Additional Information

Born:

May 19, 1918
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Enlistment:

August 7, 1941
Vancouver, British Columbia

Son of Harold Anthony and Constance (nee Wilson) MacDonald of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Husband of Jessie Bosworth (nee Proctor) and father of Susan Elizabeth MacDonald of Vancouver, British columbia.

Commemorated on Page 371 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

POIX-DE-PICARDIE CHURCHYARD
Somme, France

Grave Reference:

Row D. Grave 11.

Location:

Poix is a small town 28 kilometres south-west of Amiens. The 16th century church with its surrounding churchyard is on the Amiens-Rouen road, about 200 metres from the centre of the town and the British plot is opposite the west door of the church.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Photo of James A. MacDonald– LAC, Ottawa

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    Photo of James A. MacDonald
    Photo of James A. MacDonald – LAC, Ottawa
  • Photo of James A. MacDonald– LAC, Ottawa

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    Photo of James A. MacDonald
    Photo of James A. MacDonald – LAC, Ottawa
  • Circumstances of death– Report of crash from November 5, 1946, LAC, Ottawa

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    Circumstances of death
    Circumstances of death – Report of crash from November 5, 1946, LAC, Ottawa
  • Newspaper clipping– From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of James Arthur MacDonald

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    Photo of James Arthur MacDonald
    Photo of James Arthur MacDonald
  • Photo of James Arthur MacDonald– James Arthur MacDonald was best friends with Henry (Harry) Hector MacDonald who also served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Harry and James grew up together, signed up together, and flipped a coin between them on Jan. 3/44 to see who would fly the sortie. Harry won the toss but lost his life that day. James was lost February 7/44, just one month and four days after Harry. Sixty-five years later a group of five French military historians and enthusiasts began the lengthy task of recovering what was left of Harry's plane and arranging with the city council to memorialize Harry's sacrifice by naming a street after him and using his Typhoon engine as a memorial at the city hall. These ceremonies will take place on June 25, 2011.

    Details

    Photo of James Arthur MacDonald
    Photo of James Arthur MacDonald – James Arthur MacDonald was best friends with Henry (Harry) Hector MacDonald who also served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Harry and James grew up together, signed up together, and flipped a coin between them on Jan. 3/44 to see who would fly the sortie. Harry won the toss but lost his life that day. James was lost February 7/44, just one month and four days after Harry. Sixty-five years later a group of five French military historians and enthusiasts began the lengthy task of recovering what was left of Harry's plane and arranging with the city council to memorialize Harry's sacrifice by naming a street after him and using his Typhoon engine as a memorial at the city hall. These ceremonies will take place on June 25, 2011.
  • Group Photo– James is seen here relaxing with his wife, Jessie.

    Details

    Group Photo
    Group Photo – James is seen here relaxing with his wife, Jessie.

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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