Enlistment # R-90083
Flight Sergeant
John Thompson McDonald was born on September 29, 1916 in Strathroy, Ontario to William Telfer McDonald and Minnie Thompson McDonald. His father, William, worked as a carpenter. The family lived on Victoria Street. John was always called “Jack” by his friends and family, but was also known by his other nickname “Mickey”.
He attended Maitland School, and later, Strathroy Collegiate Institute. Jack enjoyed playing golf and badminton. His hobbies included making model planes from balsa wood. Jack was employed at the Strathroy Hardware Store, located on the corner of Front and Frank Streets where the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is now.
He enlisted with the R.C.A.F. on January 29, 1941, in London, Ontario. In February of 1942, Jack married Aletha Mackey of Port Stewart. On the 28th of the same month, he completed his training in Mountain View near Ottawa. He went overseas on May 1, 1942. While in England, he served as a Flight Sergeant Observer in the 23rd Operational Training Unit.
He was killed in action on December 28, 1942 when his Wellington aircraft #BK 517 crashed near Bodicote, Oxfordshire. Five R.A.F. crew members were also killed. Jack was 26 years old when he died and is buried in the All Saints Churchyard in Middleton Stoney, Oxfordshire, England.