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MacGillivray, Donald Duncan (Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-April-13

Birth Date: 1913-October-15 (age 29)

Son of William Donald and Jessie Ann MacGillivray, of Silver Park.

Home: Silver Park, Saskatchewan

Service
RCAF
Unit
32 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
Patricia Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Rank
Sergeant
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Wireless Air Gunner
Service Numbers
R/139766
32 Operational Training Unit, Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Hampden aircraft AN 121 had just completed a low level bombing training run when it turned over on its back and entered the water upside down in the sea off Cowichan Head, Vancouver Island. Pilot Officer J.S. Peterkin (RAF) and Sergeant R.T. Barrow (RAAF) were also killed.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Finadagrave.com

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Home
Google MapSilver Park, Saskatchewan
Burial
Google MapSilver Park Cemetery
Plot 15 Block 1

Hampden AN121

Handley Page Hampden

(RCAF Photo via Chris Charland)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
Handley Page Hampden (Serial No. P5428), of No. 32 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Patricia Bay, British Columbia, in the torpedo-bomber training role between May 1942 and February 1944.

Handley Page developed a modern stressed-skin mid-wing monoplane, powered by Bristol Pegasus radial air cooled engines, with its first flight in 1936. It had the most advanced wings available at the time, giving it a remarkably low landing speed of 73 mph for an aircraft of its size, with a top speed of 265 mph. The Hampden had a short, narrow but tall main fuselage with a very slender tail unit. This configuration led to the nicknames "Flying Panhandle" and "Flying Suitcase". At the end of the war, no complete or partial Hampden aircraft were retained for museum display.

The Hampden served in the early stages of the war, bearing the brunt of the early bombing war over Europe, taking part in the first night raid on Berlin and in the first 1000-bomber raid on Cologne. In Canada, Hampdens were built by six companies that formed Associated Aircraft. There were three in Ontario and three in Quebec, hence they were identified as the Ontario Group and Quebec Group. They supplied all the the components to the two assembly plants. The Ontario Group's assembly plant was at the Malton Airport, while the Quebec group's assembly plant was at the St. Hubert Airport. Canadian Museum of Flight and Harold A Skaarup web page

YouTube Handley Page Hampden in Flight

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Hampden Bomber

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications Hampden - Kestrel Publications

last update: 2022-01-13 21:37:22

Hampden Mk. I AN121

With No. 32 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC. Nosed over while taxiing at Patricia Bay on 17 January 1943, Category C damage. Crashed into sea inverted on 13 April 1943, off Cowichan Head. Aircraft had just completed bombing run and entered steep left hand turn. Pilot Pilot Officer J.S. Peterkin, RAF killed; navigator Sgt. R.T. Barrow, RAAF killed; WAG Sgt. D.D. MacGilivray missing but body later found, WAG Sgt. K.E. Thompson injured.

1942-05-07 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-January-17 Accident: 32 Operational Training Unit Loc: Patricia Bay Aerodrome Names: Cox | Fairall | Mckenzie | Wallace
1943-April-13 Accident: 32 Operational Training Unit Loc: Vancouver Island Names: Barrow | Macgillivray | Peterkin | Thompson
1943-05-10 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

32 OTU (32 Operational Training Unit)

The Operational Training Unit (OTU) was the last stop for aircrew trainees. They spent 8 to 14 weeks learning to fly operational aircraft (Hawker Hurricane or Fairey Swordfish, e.g.). The instructors had experience in actual operations, and often were posted to OTUs after their operational tour.

More information on the RCAF Station at Patricia Bay, British Columbia can be found at:

RAF Roundel RCAF.info - Patricia Bay, British Columbia

Museum BC Aviation Museum Video On History Of Pat Bay

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