McCrae, Donald
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Donald |
Surname | McCrae |
Gender | M |
Age | 27 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 28-05-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alexander McCrea and Gina McCrea (née Severson), of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | LL810 |
Markings | BQ-K |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Belgium |
Burial/Memorial Place | Wevelgem Communal Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave E. 498. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 70 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/85104 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 550 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Chemin du Stoquois, Rebecq, Walloon Brabant Province |
Country | Belgium |
Memorial Type | Metal sculpture & inscribed metal plaques |
Memorial Text |
Location | Lancaster Approach, North Killingholme, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone & Info Board |
Memorial Text | A memorial to 550 Sqn RAF which flew from RAF North Killingholme; Jan 1944 - Oct 1945 |
Location | Church of St. Deny's, North Killingholme, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window, RoH and inscribed Metal & Wooden Plaques |
Memorial Text | Several memorials to the men and women who served with 550 Sqn at RAF Killingholme during WW2 |
Miscellaneous Information
Donald was born on 22 September 1916 at Revelstoke, British Columbia. His father was a Placer Miner born in Guelph, Ontario and his mother was born in Norway. He had several siblings. One brother, William and a second named Alexander who was in the army. There were also sisters Ruth, Sarah, Anna, Margaret and Viola. Also Elisa Sybil at #2 AC HQ RCAF, Winnipeg. His schooling was at Central Public 1922-1930 followed by Revelstoke High, 1930-1933 and 1933 -1934. He worked as a Placer during 1934-1936 and then as a labourer and ground man at a Hydro Plant until 1938. Many men were then laid off due to lack of funds but Donald found work at Heather Lodge in Revelstoke as a resort manager until enlisting on 22 July 1941. |
After initial training Donald was posted to the U.K. and embarked from New York on 9 March 1943, arriving at 3PRC on 18 March. He was then at 3 (P) AFU on 18 May 1943, 30 OTU 3 August 1943, 1667 CU. 7 November 1943 and 550 Squadron on 7 February 1944. Donald was sadly to lose his life on 28 May 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2044/5 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2037/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 27-05-1944 |
End Date | 28-05-1944 |
Takeoff Station | North Killingholme |
Day/Night Raid | Night (31% moon) |
Operation | Aachen |
Reason for Loss | Victim of a night fighter, crashing at Lichtenvelde in Belgium |