Hello, I am looking for information pertaining to Flt. Lt. Verdun Frederick McDonald. He was enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force and died in a flying accident on November 7, 1943. He was born on May 1, 1916 and attended St. Joseph high school followed by the University of Alberta. I have a lot of basic information about him and I would really like to find out more about his personal life before and during the war. Please feel free however, to send me any information about him. Thank you in advance.
It looks as if F/L V F McDonald was lost from RAF Ternhill,Shropshire while serving with No 5 (Pilot)Advanced Flying Unit which was equipped with Hurricanes and Masters. From his rank,I would say he was an Instructor.....cause of aircraft loss not yet ascertained.
Date: 07-NOV-1943 Time: 14:05 local Type: Avro Anson Mk I Owner/operator: 5 (P) AFU, RAF Registration: N4934 C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 Other fatalities: 2 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Near Martin’s Farm, Longford, NE of RAF Ternhill, Shropshire - United Kingdom Phase: Initial climb Nature: Training Departure airport: RAF Ternhill, Shropshire Destination airport: RAF Ternhill Narrative: On the 7th November 1943, P/O Rothwell took off in Anson N4934, from Ternhill at 13:50 hours, detailed to carry out a Ground Controlled Interception exercise. He carried as passengers Flt Sgt Walsh and Flt Lt McDonald, both for navigation experience, of whom Walsh was flying voluntarily. Also on board was Cpl L A Manners, a passenger flying voluntarily. F/O Cross (Instructor) and Flt Sgt Carter (Pupil Pilot) took off from the same airfield at 13:25 hours in Miles Master EM281 to practice ordinary circuits and landings. The visibility was good, with some haze near the ground, and a strong sun with a light wind. The Anson took off normally, turned 90 degrees and was still in a climbing turn to port when the collision occurred at approx 14:05 hours. The Master caught the port wing of the Anson, and both aircraft crashed and both crews were killed. The Anson crashed near Martin’s Farm, Longford, Shropshire, to the north east of Ternhill Crew: Anson N4934. RNZAF P/O John Rothwell, (Instructor Pilot). RAAF Flt Sgt Clement James Walsh, ((Pupil Pilot). RCAF Flt Lt Verdun Frederick McDonald, (PAX). RAF Cpl (WE Mech.) Lawrence Allen Manners, (PAX). Crew : Master EM281. RAF F/O James Orville Cross (Instructor Pilot). RAF Flt Sgt Denis Frank Carter, (Pupil Pilot). Pilot Officer Rothwell and Flt Sgt Walsh are buried in the Chester (Blacon) Cemetery, UK. Cpl Manners is buried in Stand (All Saints) Churchyard, UK. Flt Lt McDonald is buried in Chester (Blacon) Cemetery. Flying Officer Cross is buried in Chester (Blacon) Cemetery and Flight Sergeant Carter is buried in Braintree & Bocking Cemetery, Bocking.
One correction if I may to Clive's post #5 The pilot of the "Master Aircraft" was also a Canadian. I noticed this error had gone through a few websites. Only found when cross referenced with CWGC details on my loss database. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1526159/CROSS,%20JAMES%20ORVILLE Crew : Master EM281. RCAF J/24116 F/O James Orville Cross (Instructor Pilot). RAF 658594 Flt Sgt Denis Frank Carter, (Pupil Pilot). Cheers Geoff
