Donald MacLaren

Donald MacLaren was born at Ottawa, Ontario, on 28th May, 1893. MacLaren became a fur trader and did not join the Royal Flying Corps until 1917.

Flying a Sopwith Camel, MacLaren had 49 victories until he was forced to end his combat career after breaking a leg in October, 1918. MacLaren, who won the Military Cross in June, 1918, was the third most successful Canadian Flying Ace after William Bishop and William Collishaw.

Following the Armistice MacLaren helped form the Royal Canadian Air Force before retiring to begin a career in civil aviation.

Donald MacLaren died on 4th July 1989.

First World War Encyclopedia (3,250 pages - £4.95)

Primary Sources

(1) Derby Evening Telegraph (1939)

Arsenal have a big problem. Spending £14,000 on Bryn Jones has not brought the needed thrust into the attack. The little Welsh inside-left is clearly suffering from too much publicity, and is obviously worried. He is a nippy and quite useful inside-left, but his limitations are marked.