Gratitude for the Ground Crew

Heroes Remember

Gratitude for the Ground Crew

Transcript

Each kite, like I am talking about Lancs, had its own ground crew of, you know, what they call a fitter and an armour and so on. They looked after your kite and they treated it as if it was their own. In other words, they gave it the greatest of care and made sure that it was in top, top running operation. And they were, like our ground crew in 103 Squadron used to wait up no matter how late we got back. Some ground crew were happy enough to have an air crew that would take them out for a beer but the ground crew worked very hard in all kinds of weather. They had to service our kite rain or shine and no matter how cold it was, they were responsible for the aircraft and they did a wonderful, wonderful job. We can't compliment them enough.

Description

Mr. McDonald expresses his high regard for the ground crew in their diligent maintenance of the aircraft.

Graham McDonald

Bernard Graham (B.G.) McDonald was born on December 26, 1920, and raised in Granby, Quebec. His family enjoys a long history in Granby. His grandfather, John Sr, who had emigrated from Ireland, was the first chief of police in the late 1800's. Bernard joined the Non-Permanent Active Militia in 1936 and when war broke out, he attempted to enlist in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in September 1939, but was turned down because there were too many volunteers. Mr. McDonald successfully enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Montreal, Quebec, in October 1940, but had to delay his entry until February 1941 due to an outbreak of measles. He served with the Royal Air Force 103 (Black Swan) Squadron in Elsham Wolds, England, and completed 31 successful operations. Mr. McDonald was honourably discharged on June 26, 1946, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, as a flying officer and was stationed in Gander, Newfoundland, as the transport officer in charge of 164 Squadron. Shortly after this posting, he returned to civilian life to work as the advertising manager for the Miner Company in Granby. He married Connie, originally from London, England, in 1946 and together they raised three children. Mr. McDonald has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 65 years.

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