Ian Donald Roy McDonald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ian Donald Roy McDonald
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|
|---|---|
| Born | 9 September 1898 Saint John's, Antigua, British West Indies |
| Died | 22 September 1920 (aged 22) Dangatora, Iraq |
| Commemorated at |
Basra Memorial, Basra, Iraq
|
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916–1922 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No 39 Squadron RFC No. 24 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross |
Captain Ian Donald Roy McDonald MC, DFC (born 9 September 1898 – died 22 September 1920) was a British pilot who became a flying ace during World War I. A flying ace is a pilot who has shot down five or more enemy aircraft. McDonald was credited with an amazing 20 aerial victories! Although he was born in the British West Indies, he moved to England to join the air force. After his successful time fighting in the war, he returned home briefly. Later, he went back to serve in Iraq after the war, where he sadly died during a mission.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Ian McDonald was born in the Caribbean, in a place called Saint John's, Antigua. Even though he was born there, he was a British citizen. His father was a lawmaker, which means he helped create laws for the country.
World War I Service
Young Ian McDonald joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1916. The RFC was the air force of the British Army during World War I. He trained to become a fighter pilot.
On 26 April 1917, he officially became a flying officer, which is a rank in the air force. He started his service with the 39 (Home Defence) Squadron. Later, on 11 July 1917, he moved to the 24 Squadron.
McDonald flew an Airco DH.5 plane and achieved his first three victories between November and December 1917. The squadron then received new planes, the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5as. McDonald continued to succeed with his new aircraft. On 26 February 1918, he scored his second victory. This made him a "flying ace," as he had now achieved five victories. He shared this particular victory with several other pilots.
McDonald was promoted to flight commander on 15 March 1918, becoming a temporary captain. He had a very successful period, scoring six wins in April, four in May, and three in the first week of June. On 17 June, working with other pilots, he forced down one of Germany's top aces, Kurt Wüsthoff, who was then captured. Just four days later, McDonald took a break from combat. He had become the second-highest scoring ace in his squadron.
List of Aerial Victories
Ian McDonald was a highly skilled pilot. Here is a list of the enemy aircraft he shot down or forced to land during World War I. Each "victory" meant he successfully defeated an enemy plane in an air battle.
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 November 1917 @ 1330 hours |
DH.5 s/n A9471 |
Albatros D.III | Driven down out of control | Southeast of Diksmuide, Belgium | |
| 2 | 30 December 1917 @ 1235 hours |
DH.5 s/n A9339 |
German reconnaissance aircraft | Driven down out of control | Fontaine | |
| 3 | 10 December 1917 @ 1200 hours |
DH.5 s/n A9257 |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | South of Honnecourt-sur-Escaut, France | |
| 4 | 26 February 1918 @ 0840 hours |
SE.5a s/n C1057 |
Fokker Triplane | Destroyed | East of Laon, France | |
| 5 | 26 February 1918 @ 0900 hours |
SE.5a s/n C1057 |
Fokker Triplane | Destroyed | East of Samoussy, France | Victory shared with Ronald Mark, Herbert Richardson, James Dawe, two other pilots |
| 6 | 7 April 1918 @ 1550 hours |
SE.5a s/n C9613 |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Bois de Moreuil, France | |
| 7 | 11 April 1918 @ 1655 hours |
SE.5a s/n C9613 |
LVG reconnaissance aircraft | Driven down out of control | Villers-Bretonneux, France | |
| 8 | 12 April 1918 @ 1615 hours |
SE.5a s/n C9613 |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Between Hangard and Moreuil, France | |
| 9 | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | ||||
| 10 | 20 April 1918 @ 0955 hours |
SE.5a s/n C9613 |
Pfalz D.III | Destroyed | South of Morcourt, France | |
| 11 | 23 April 1918 @ 1445 hours |
SE.5a s/n C9613 |
Pfalz D.III | Destroyed | South of Warfusée | |
| 12 | 3 May 1918 @ 1835 hours |
SE.5a s/n C9613 |
Fokker Triplane | Destroyed | Le Quesnel, France | |
| 13 | 16 May 1918 @ 0615 hours |
SE.5a s/n D279 |
Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | Foucaucourt, France | |
| 14 | 28 May 1918 @ 0600 hours |
SE.5a s/n D3444 |
Fokker D.VII | Driven down out of control | Maricourt, France | |
| 15 | 31 May 1918 @ 1730 hours |
SE.5a s/n D3444 |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Becquigny, France | |
| 16 | 2 June 1918 @ 1115 hours |
SE.5a s/n D3444 |
Siemens-Schuckert D.III | Destroyed | Contoire, France | |
| 17 | 3 June 1918 @ 1120 hours |
SE.5a s/n D3444 |
Albatros reconnaissance aircraft | Destroyed | Southeast of Marcelcave, France | Victory shared with James Dawe |
| 18 | 5 June 1918 @ 0805 hours |
SE.5a s/n D3444 |
Observation balloon | Destroyed | Moreuil, France | |
| 19 | 7 June 1918 @ 1145 hours |
SE.5a s/n D3444 |
Fokker Triplane | Destroyed | Rosières, France | |
| 20 | 17 June 1918 @ 1200 hours |
SE.5a s/n D3444 |
Fokker D.VII | Forced down and captured | Cachy, France | Victory over Blue Max winner Kurt Wusthoff shared with Horace Barton, George Owen Johnson, C. E. Walton |
Post World War I Service and Death
After World War I ended, Ian McDonald left the Royal Air Force (RAF) in early 1919. He went back home to Antigua because he was experiencing eye strain. However, he soon returned to the RAF. On 1 August 1919, he received a permanent position as a lieutenant and became an instructor at RAF Cranwell, teaching new pilots.
In 1920, he was sent to Iraq for flight operations. On 22 September 1920, he was flying an Airco DH.9A plane on a mission to deliver food to a boat that was stuck. During this mission, his plane was shot down by ground fire near Samawahon. He was seen getting out of his plane and wading ashore. Sadly, he died during this mission in Dangatora.
Ian McDonald is remembered at the Basra Memorial in Iraq, which honors soldiers who died in the region.
Honours and Awards
Ian McDonald received two important awards for his bravery and skill as a pilot:
Distinguished Flying Cross
This award was given to him for being a "dashing, fighting pilot." The award citation noted that in just two months, he had destroyed five enemy machines and forced two others out of control. It praised his strong fighting spirit and his complete disregard for danger.
Military Cross
He received the Military Cross for his "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." One example of his bravery was when he and seven other pilots attacked eighteen enemy machines. During this fight, three enemy planes were destroyed, and one was forced down. Even when his engine had problems and he was forced very close to the ground by two enemy planes, he bravely turned and fought back, forcing one of them down. Overall, he destroyed eleven enemy aircraft and also did important work attacking enemy troops on the ground.
