The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (A22152) Pilot III (Sergeant) Gordon John “Mac” McDonald, No. 38 Squadron, RAAF, attached to 110 Squadron, RAF

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Charis May, the story for this day was on (A22152) Pilot III (Sergeant) Gordon John “Mac” McDonald, No. 38 Squadron, RAAF, attached to 110 Squadron, RAF.

A22152 Pilot III (Sergeant) Gordon John “Mac” McDonald, No. 38 Squadron, RAAF, attached to 110 Squadron, RAF
Accidentally killed 31 August 1950
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 19 June 2015

Today we remember Pilot Gordon John McDonald.

Gordon John McDonald was born on 24 July 1925 at Inverell, He grew up on his parents’ property “Gleniffer” at Inverell, but little else is known of his early life.

He joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 14 August 1943, shortly after his 18th Birthday. After his initial training, he was found suitable for pilot training and by the end of the war, he had qualified as a pilot and been promoted to flight sergeant.

He remained in the RAAF as a transport pilot, and prior to the declaration of the Malayan Emergency was posted to No. 38 Squadron, RAAF, flying Dakota aircraft. McDonald and his squadron mates were posted to Singapore in July 1950 and immediately began flying operations out of Changi.

In late August McDonald was seconded to No. 110 Squadron in the Royal Air Force, to fly as the second pilot of a Dakota Mk IV. This was to give him further experience of route flying and further his qualifications to become a plane captain in his own right.

On the morning of 31 August McDonald and his crew took off from Changi bound for Hong Kong via Singapore. As well as McDonald, the aircraft had four RAF crew, and was carrying three RAF and four British army passengers along with crates of stores.

The men had been informed of rough weather over the South China Sea, but after that the weather was expected to be clear. The aircraft last made contact a little after take-off, but after that nothing further was heard.

When the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination, search-and-rescue aircraft were dispatched to search along the flight path for it and any survivors. The search was intensified during the day, and aircraft from the RAAF, RAF, and French aircraft from Saigon were involved in the effort. The Royal Navy also sent the frigate HMS Morcambe Bay and two motor launches.

Searches continued throughout the night, and at 3 am the following morning a box of stores from the aircraft was recovered from the ocean. An hour later Major Herbert David Lowther of the Royal Artillery, the only survivor of the crash, was found.

During the inquest into the crash Major Lowther reported that the aircraft had struck heavier-than-expected turbulence over the South China Sea. He had been sleeping at the back of the aircraft among the cargo and was thrown up into the roof of the plane when it was hit by a sudden downdraft. Lowther also recalled seeing rain on the windows and hearing it on the fuselage. Following a series of sharp bumps, a loud noise was heard from the tail. The aircraft immediately went into a tight spin before hitting the water, where it broke up and sank.

The bodies of Gordon McDonald and the other missing men were never recovered. After the inquiry McDonald was officially confirmed as having been killed on 31 August 1950. He was 25 years old.

His commanding officer wrote to his father telling him of the search for the plane, adding:
Gordon, or as we knew him, “Mac”, was a very keen pilot and by virtue of his personality and the thoroughness with which he did his job made many friends among the officers and airmen of the squadron.

McDonald’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, along with 39 others who died during the Malayan Emergency, and his photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Pilot Gordon John McDonald, and all Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section