December 20, 1913 - September 13, 1945
Donald Angus MacLellan, born in Dunvegan, Inverness County, Nova Scotia, was the son of Angus Donald MacLellan, carpenter and farmer, and Mary D. (nee Gillis) MacLellan. He had a brother, Reverend Alexander, plus three other brothers: John (in the Canadian Army), James, Peter, and four sisters: Mary Elizabeth, Catherine, Betty, and Anne. Four other siblings died in childhood. The family was Roman Catholic.
Donald spoke English and Gaelic.
Donald married Mary Agnes MacDonald (b. 1909) of Pleasant Valley, Antigonish, NS on September 19, 1938. They had four children: Rosemary, born December 25, 1939, Donald Malcolm Alexander, born April 18, 1941, Donalda Ann, born August 23, 1942, and Agnes Louise, born May 28, 1945. The family lived in Egerton, Pictou County, NS.
Donald had been living in Sydney, Nova Scotia, a garage mechanic/foreman at Moffatt Bros Garage prior to enlisting with the RCAF in September 1940. He hoped to remain with the RCAF as a mechanic. He had originally applied to the RCAF in November 1939, but he did not provide sufficient information, so his application had been returned.
He liked to hunt, fish, and swim, and mechanics plus carpentry work were his hobbies. Donald stood 5’ 9 ¼” tall, weighing 135 pounds. He had blue eyes and dark brown hair, with a fair complexion. He smoked 10-12 cigarettes a day and had the occasional beer.
Donald was sent to Toronto to No. 1 Manning Depot September 29 to October 18, 1940, then sent to TTS St. Thomas, Ontario October 31, 1940, where he was an aeroengine mechanic. After that he was at No. 8 SFTS, Moncton, NB by March 27, 1941. On July 15, 1943, he was sent to Torbay, Newfoundland until January 29, 1944, when he was sent to No. 9 B&G Mont Joli, Quebec until March 25, 1944. He was now a flight engineer. Then he was sent out to Vancouver, Ucluelet, then back to Halifax, then to Dartmouth and Eastern Air Command, posted to 11 Squadron August 11th, 1944.
At the end of October, 1942, “A reliable and conscientious tradesman, well capable of further responsibilities.” In January 1943 at No. 8 EFTS, Moncton, he was seen as emotionally stable and an average airman. In Mach 1944 at No. 9 B&G School: “Very good type of student, neat appearance, states what he means clearly, willing to help others, able to provide good leadership. 2nd out of 18 in Flight Mechanic course.”
He had $50 in Victory Loan Bond as well as a life insurance policy with $158.26 in premiums paid towards the $1500, with beneficiary as Mary Agnes. Donald had been paying on bond through assigned pay.
Donald was in the hospital from January 27 to February 2, 1941, then again December 11 -13, 1941 and February 2, 1942, then again September 6, 1942.
On February 19/20, 1945, Liberator 3715 used by No. 11 (BR) Squadron at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia was lost at sea.
Members of the crew were: • F/L Geoffrey Apps, Pilot, Cannington, ON • F/L Deryck Hogan, 2nd Pilot, Rockingham, NS • F/L Earl C. Ireland, Navigator, Edmonton, AB • F/O Daniel J. Murphy, WOAG, Sydney, NS • WO1 Harry L. Teasdale, WOAG, Edmonton, Alberta • F/S Walter R. Grant, WOAG, Saskatoon, SK • F/S Donald A. MacLellan, Flight Engineer, Antigonish, NS
The search began on February 20 and ended on February 22, 1945 involving five Liberators. Two Hudson aircraft were sent out as were two Venturas. One of the Venturas sighted a nose wheel, an empty dinghy, sonobuoys, and other debris floating in the area near Sable island. A number of Cansos also took part in the search. On February 21, two sleeping bags were found washed up on the beach at Sable Island, plus a bomb bay gas tank and two empty dinghies.
In late October 1955, Mary Agnes received a letter informing her that since Donald had no known grave, his name would appear on the Ottawa Memorial.