Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Donald James McDonald, the eldest son and second child of Joseph James ('Jim') and Vanda Stuart McDonald (nee Smith) was born 12 February 1924 at Atherton Queensland. 

Donald spent his early years at Tolga where the McDonald family had been based since the late 19th century. He was educated at Tolga State School until the family relocated to Townsville where he continued his education at Townsville Grammar School. They maintained their property in Tolga which was often visited. 

Don was a skilled sportsman and athlete, he excelled at running and rugby. He was known for his kindness, dedication and courteousness. He was generous and well-liked by all, and his two siblings often took advantage by deploying his charm upon their mother to obtain money for sweets from the local store. 

Don was working as a storeman/clerk for the Burns Philp and Company Ltd. in Townsville, prior enlistment on 20th June
1942 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. By this time, his sister had enlisted with the WAAFs, his brother in-law was a Lieutenant of the Australian Infantry 49th Battalion, and his father a veteran of the Great War had been remobilised. 

Don embarked for England at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 20th April 1944. He was assigned as Rear Gunner of 463 Squadron based at Waddington, Lincolnshire. When on leave he stayed with family relatives of his mother and visited the locations of which his grandparents had spoken so fondly. He detailed his journey in letters home to his mother to whom he wrote often. 

On the night of 22 to 23 April 1944, 238 lancasters, mainly of 5 group, flew to Braunschweig, while another 577 bombers
aimed for Dusseldorf. From Waddington twenty Lancasters of 463 squadron left at 10:50 pm including Lancaster LL892 'JO-L' piloted by P/O Charles C Schomberg with Don assigned air gunner. LL892 failed to return to base, Group Captain Kingsford-Smith commenced notification process for the seven onboard. Meanwhile, residents of Nieuwolda found a gigantic crater in a field behind the farm of the Dokkum family. The aircraft had exploded on impact, and the people of the town were permitted to bury the remains of the crew as comrades (i.e. one grave only), which they did. They maintained the grave and erected a small memorial. 

Though officially missing, the crew were not officially presumed dead for some time. It was not until late 1945 that the family were informed Don was killed in action and was buried in Groningen. Unsatisfied with the scarce information provided and driven by grief, Jim, Vanda and his aunt Brenda Hall asked the assistance of colleagues, friends and family to inquire as to the circumstances surrounding the fate of Donald and crew. It was Mrs. Honoria Christina ('Chrissie') Atherton, President of the QCWA, who took the request to heart in 1947 as delegate to the conference of Associated Country Women of the World, held at Amsterdam.

With the assistance of the President of the CWA of the Netherlands Chrissie travelled to Groningen to appeal for information on the fate of LL892 and its crew. Chrissie met with the Burgomaster (Mayor of the Town) at a Civic Reception (he noted "You are the first Australian to come and inquire, so we do you honour") who she writes informed her "Our sad duty to-day, Mrs. Atherton, is to give you the information you seek for your friends and in doing so I want you to convey to the parents of this gallant son, our great sympathy. We are honoured to have his last resting place in our soil and we do not forget that he gave his life for his country and so helped to liberate our Country. We will guard this grave with the greatest care and ask you to take to his people this photograph of the grave".

The Burgomaster and people present relayed to Chrissie that the plane had indeed crashed over the night/early morning 22-23 April 1944. A doctor had been permitted to attend the scene and gave assurance that the seven crew were deceased long before the crash. The townspeople had erected the comrades grave and he lamented "our Country was in German occupation when the tradgedy occurred, so we could only obey orders and send meagre information". They had been caring for the grave and had sent photographs to the red cross that were returned, despite this they intended to erect a pure marble cross and send further photographs. 

Unknown at the time, the local baker's wife had dashed to the scene and secured a piece of a parachute. This piece of parachute and cover belonged to Donald (it bore his name). No other equipment or items had been salvaged or retained. Chrissie was then presented with a porcelain doll as this woman had "fashioned the good part into a little dancers dress and dressed this little figure". The Burgomaster asked Chrissie to bring the doll home to Donald's Mother and to "please tell Australia that her sons will ever be our proud care". 

Chrissie spoke to the baker's wife, Mrs. J Kuper-Koopal, who told her she had kept the parachute, feeling that some day someone might come. Mrs Kuper-Koopal also said that just prior to the occupation she had a conversation with an English woman who was looking for anything that could be given to her in memory of her lost boy, "so that was the reason she made a frantic dash to the scene, hoping to secure a piece of the plan for some Mother".

Chrissie brought the doll and photographs of the grave home to the McDonald family. Vanda and Jim wrote to the relevant departments and heartfelt letters to the families of the crew enclosing copies of Chrissie's letter and details of the grave. The McDonald family remained in contact with the Burgomaster and Kuper-Koopal family and some family have visited the grave.

Donald was survived by his parents, younger brother and his elder sister to whom he had been the best of friends. The doll remains her beloved possession.