Donald was born in November 1916 in Coventry. After completing his education at Wrekin he proceeded to Exeter College, Oxford, in 1934 where he read Chemistry, graduating in 1938 with a second-class degree. During his time as an undergraduate, Donald was actively involved in sports, including football and rugby, and was also a member of the canoe club. Informal records from the college described him as “a nice friendly person. A keen man about college”.

Career and Military Service

Following his graduation, Donald entered the industrial sector and was employed by Courtaulds Ltd in its research laboratory. Although his position was classified as a reserved occupation, he chose to volunteer for service with the Royal Air Force, enlisting on 11^th August 1941. In December of the same year he married Valerie May Kirby: the couple did not have any children.

Within the RAF, Donald trained as an observer and navigator, both in England and across the Atlantic. He was offered a transfer to chemical research in the Army, but he declined this opportunity, opting to remain with the RAF. On 1^st September 1942 Donald was promoted to Pilot Officer.

RAF Bomber Command and Tragic Accident

In June 1942, No 30 Operational Training Unit (OTU) was established at RAF Hixon, Staffordshire, as part of  Bomber Command. Its mission was to train night bomber aircrew on the Vickers Wellington aircraft. Donald’s training with No 30 OTU was nearly complete when tragedy struck.

During a night bombing practice in poor weather conditions on 31^st October 1942, the aircraft (Z-1083) took off for a practice bombing run. On its first landing attempt, the plane overshot the runway. While attempting to go round again the aircraft stalled at 500 feet and crashed at 20:50 hrs at Grange Farm, Amerton, adjacent to the northern boundary of the airfield.

Donald was 25 years old and is buried in Stoneleigh (St.Mary) Churchyard, Warwickshire.

Husband of Valerie May Hegan of Coventry, Warwickshire since December 1941: son of Horace James Hegan & May Hegan. Valerie re-married in 1949 and died in 1988.

A copy of this brief story can be downloaded here.

Revised: November 2025