West, Donald Coburn
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Donald Coburn |
Surname | West |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 27-07-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Charles Wesley West and Mabelle Beatrice West (née Stewart), of Cole’s Island, New Brunswick, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington IV |
Serial Number | Z1461 |
Markings | QT-F |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Sage War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 4. D. 14. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 113 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/16716 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 142 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Miscellaneous Information
Donald was born on 31 May 1921 at Cole’s Island, New Brunswick. Both parents were born in New Brunswick and his father worked as a clerk. He had two sisters, Jean and Anna. The school he attended was Cole’s Island between 1927-1935 and again 1935-1938 (Academic). Donald also spent two years at Mount Allison University where he studied for his Junior Matric between 1938-1940. He enjoyed football, swimming, hockey and boxing and his hobby was photography. He had no occupation so enlisted on 3 September 1940. |
After his initial training he was posted to the U.K. and embarked from Canada on 21 July 1941. After arrival at 3PRC on 16 August 1941 he went to 23 OTU on 23 August 1941 and on to 142 Squadron on 25 October 1941. The following year Donald sadly lost his life on 27 July 1942. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/973/14 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/973/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 26-07-1942 |
End Date | 27-07-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Grimsby |
Day/Night Raid | Night (99% moon) |
Operation | Hamburg |
Reason for Loss | Shot down at Waddewarden, near Jever |