DSO, MC & Bar, DFC, Croix du Guerre, Légion d’honneur
Major Donald Roderick MacLaren, a Scots-Canadian, born in Ottawa on 28 May 1893 to Robert James and Mary Jeanie MacLaren, and moved with his family to Calgary six years later. An expert marksman early in life, and later managed to gain a place at university. Unfortunately, ill health forced him to leave early in 1914, and he then worked with his family in a fur-trading post in Peace River where he mastered the Cree tongue.
Attestation
Returning from a government survey in the far north, MacLaren discovered his brother Roy had joined the Army. On 8 May 1917 he joined the RFC, and later after training became an instructor at Camp Borden, Ontario – the graduation something of a milestone – MacLaren among the first pilot-trainees to complete their entire training in Canada.
France
In autumn 1917, MacLaren posted to England, and later arrived in France on 23 November 1917 to join No.46 Squadron on the Western Front. At this time, he had no opportunity to display the ability that would distinguish him as an aerial duelist, for Germany conserving its air power for a large-scale attack. Not until late February 1918 did MacLaren score his first victory, over a German Pfalz.
In March 1918, MacLaren’s career reached its peak, and on 21 March 1918 he bombed a German long-range gun, then claiming two LVG two-seaters and a kite balloon shot down in the same action for which he would receive the Military Cross.
The following month, MacLaren promoted to flight commander on 6 April 1918. Awarded the MC in April, and a Bar to this the following month.
Military Cross
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the following award to the undermentioned officer, in recognition of his gallantry and devotion in the Field:
Awarded the Military Cross
T/2nd Lt. Donald Roderick MacLaren, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion, when on low bombing work he bombed a long-range enemy gun, 9,000 yards behind the lines, obtaining from a height of 200 feet two direct hits on the gun track and two on the railway track alongside. When returning to our lines he encountered a hostile two-seater machine, which he shot down crashing to earth. He then attacked a balloon, which burst into flames, and finally, observing another enemy two-seater plane, he engaged it and eventually succeeded in crashing it to earth. He has set an example of gallantry and skill to his squadron.”
London Gazette No. 30761 War Office,
22nd June, 1918
Captain Robert Alexander Little
The grave in the photo above that the Officers are paying their respects to is of top scoring Australian ace (47 victories), Captain Robert Alexander Little DSO and DSC. Killed during the late evening of the 27th May 1918 piloting Sopwith Camel D3416 whilst attacking a German Gotha. Hit by a single bullet that passed through both thighs he crashed in a field near the village of Noeux. Little was discovered at 5am the next morning by a wandering policeman, having bled to death from his wounds. He was originally buried in the village cemetery at Noeux but was later moved to Wavans British Cemetery where another great ace rests, Major James Thomas Byford McCudden.
Nigel Cartwright
Bar to the Military Cross
MacLaren received his second decoration, a bar to his Military Cross, in July, following official announcement appearing in September:
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the following Award to the undermentioned Officer in recognition of his gallantry and devotion in the Field:—
Awarded Bar to Military Cross
Captain Donald Roderick MacLaren, M.C., Gen. List, R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as a fighting pilot. He has recently destroyed no less than nine enemy machines and proved himself a brilliant fighting pilot against enemy aircraft often far superior in number. He has done magnificent service and set a splendid example to his patrol.
(M.C. gazetted 22nd June, 1918).
London Gazette, No. 30901,
September 16, 1918,
War Office.
A DFC followed in August, in which month he was on leave for three weeks.
Distinguished Flying Cross
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the undermentioned reward on officers of the Royal Air Force, in recognition of gallantry in flying operations against the enemy:
AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
Lieut. (T./Capt.) Donald Roderick MacLaren, M.C.
Accompanied by two other pilots, this officer attacked four enemy aeroplanes; all of these were destroyed; he himself fought two down to within 200 feet of the ground, destroying both. The two pilots who were with him each accounted for one of the remaining two. It was a well-conceived maneouvre ably carried out, reflecting credit on all concerned. This officer has in four and a half months accounted for 37 hostile aircraft and six balloons, displaying great resolution and exceptional tactical ability.
London Gazette No. 30913
Air Ministry,
21 September, 1918
On 9 October he shared in shooting down a Hannoveraner to bring his score to 54, which included six balloons and a high proportion of shared victories. Next day he broke his leg whilst wrestling with a friend – a very similar occurrence to that which had befallen Philip Furland a year earlier, soon after his score had topped 40. On 6 November 1918 MacLaren sent back to England.
A DSO gazetted on 8 February 1919, and the French awarded him a Croix du Guerre and made him a Companion of the Legion D’Honneur.
Distinguished Service Order
Lieut. (A./Capt.) Donald Roderick MacLaren, M.C., D.F.C.
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the undermentioned Rewards on Officers and Other Ranks of the Royal Air Force in recognition of gallantry in flying operations against the enemy.
Bold in attack and skilful in manoeuvre, Captain MacLaren is conspicuous in his success in aerial combats. On the 24th September he and his patrol of three machines attacked a formation of six enemy scouts, although the later were protected by sixteen other enemy aircraft at a higher altitude. Firing a burst at point-blank range, this officer shot down one in flames. In all he has accounted for 48 enemy machines and six kite balloons.
London Gazette, No. 31170
Air Ministry,
8th February, 1919
Major Donald Roderick MacLaren
By the end of the Great War, MacLaren promoted to the rank of Major, and after the close of hostilities he assisted in the formation of the Canadian Air Force until the late twenties, when assigned his commission to go into commercial aviation.
Major G Allen
His last few months of the Great War well summarized by Major G Allen, Commanding Officer of No.46 Squadron, to Headquarters, 22 Wing on 15 October 1918 (MacLaren described Allen as “a Sandhurst type who had flown DH2s in France in 1915”).
I beg to recommend the above named officer for the immediate award of the Distinguished Service Order.
Major G Allen
24 August 1918
On 24 August 1918 Captain MacLaren whilst on a special mission attacked a D.F.W. over Bray at 1,500 feet. He fired 60 rounds at point-blank range and the enemy aeroplane half-rolled to the left and later went down in a slow spin out of control. Captain MacLaren was unable to see the machine crash owing to thick mist and smoke near the ground.
25 August 1918
On 25 August 1918 on low bombing Captain MacLaren attacked a D.F.W. over Albert, firing 25 rounds at 50 yards range. The enemy aeroplane’s observer then seen hanging over the fuselage. Lieutenant Paton and Captain MacLaren dived on enemy aeroplane again, firing 100 rounds, causing enemy aeroplane to try to land east of Delville Wood, but it crashed in the shell holes and burst into flames.
27 August 1918
On 27 August 1918 Captain MacLaren, with his patrol, attacked eight Fokker biplanes over Hendecourt. He picked out one and fired about 100 rounds at 200 to 100 yards range. The Fokker turned on its back and spun down out of control. Lieutenants Viall and Buchanan, of his patrol, later saw a wing fall off as it went down.
Horace Davis
Horace Davis a little-known landscape painter who served in the RAF. He had instituted the aerial manoeuvre diagrams used in training pilots in the fledgling service, and commissioned by the Air Services sub-section of the Imperial War Museum to paint two of these manoeuvres. The difficulty inherent in painting an eye-witness account of an aerial battle, and the emphasis placed on technical details and accuracy by the Air Service sub-sections, (a common feature of IWM commissions), makes Davis’ work more literal and illustrative than that of painters such as Sydney Carline or CRW Nevinson. It is not the thrill of flying or the view of the landscape from the air that interests Davis, but the heroics of the toy-like planes as they chase each other through the skies.
15 September 1918
On 15 September 1918, flying alone, saw a British balloon in flames west of Havrincourt Wood. He dived down and found six Fokkers round it. Although one of his guns out of order he continued to dive at them and attacked one at about 100 yards range. The enemy aeroplane spun out of control from 3,000 feet north of Gouzeacourt. Captain MacLaren was unable to watch it crash as five of the Fokker biplanes then attacked him and he had much difficulty in escaping.
16 September 1918
On 16 September 1918 Captain MacLaren while on patrol with four other attacked from above by ten Fokker biplanes. Captain MacLaren, Lieutenant Sawyer and Lieutenant Viall all fired at one of them, which later went down in flames.
24 September 1918
On 24 September 1918 Captain MacLaren, on patrol with three others, attacked six Fokkers on his own level, although there were 16 more enemy aeroplanes higher up a little further north. Captain MacLaren fired a burst of about 20 rounds at point blank range at one, which also caught fire and crashed near Havrincourt village.
29 September 1918
On 29 September 1918 Captain MacLaren on patrol with three others attacked four Fokkers at 3,500 feet. Captain MacLaren fired about 50 rounds into one at 100 yards range. Enemy aeroplane half rolled and settled in a spin. Last seen, still spinning down, but could not be observed actually crashing, as the fight with the other enemy aeroplanes still in progress.
2 October 1918
On 2 October 1918 Captain MacLaren, on patrol with three others, attacked four Fokkers at 12,000 feet. Captain MacLaren fired 50 rounds at one at about 50 yards range. This enemy aeroplane later passed him and fired on by two other pilots at more distant ranges. It could not be observed to crash as ten more Fokkers attacked the patrol in the meantime and the engagement became general.
9 October 1918
On 9 October 1918 Captain MacLaren, on low bombing, joined an SE.5 and attacked a two-seater Hannoveraner. He fired 100 rounds at 50 yards range, and the enemy aeroplane spun and crashed at Ricqueval.
Summary
Captain Donald R. MacLaren a patrol leader of the greatest dash and judgement. Nearly eleven months in this squadron, and has brought down 48 enemy aeroplanes and six balloons in that period, making a total of 54. The above nine brought down since awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. His total of 54 places him in the six most successful pilots the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force have ever known. In spite of the numerous and heavy fights he has taken part in, he has almost always brought his patrol home. Also, I wish to emphasise that, in his many engagements with Fokker biplanes, he is up against a machine which is far superior to his own in performance, and has therefore been at a great disadvantage. This makes his record absolutely marvellous.
Leadership
In addition to his fights he has led many low bombing expeditions with the greatest dash.
Altogether his exploits have set a magnificent example to this squadron, especially as he has had very few experienced pilots to back him up, owing to the casualties sustained.
Post Great War
Back in Vancouver, MacLaren started his own company, Pacific Airways Ltd. It was a one-man operation with a single flying boat. In this role, MacLaren carried out work for the provincial and federal governments, flying fishery patrols and also conducting aerial surveys. In 1926 MacLaren instrumental in the formation of private flying clubs. These would relieve the RCAF of the task of overseeing many aspects of civilian aviation, while at the same time providing a body of pilots upon which it could draw in the event of war. As the commercial air business developed, MacLaren held various positions with Western Canada Airways, Canadian Airways and Trans-Canada Airlines.
During the Second World War, MacLaren helped in the formation of the Air Cadet League of Canada and made its president in 1944. In 1977, MacLaren inducted into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame.
Bahá’í Faith
MacLaren and his wife, Verna, learned about the Bahá’í Faith in Winnipeg from Ross Woodman. One of the first members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada. Donald and Verna joined the Bahá’í community in 1952. MacLaren later elected to the National Spiritual Assembly and served on that institution from 1954 to 1957.
In October 1967, Donald and Verna represented the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada at the Intercontinental Bahá’í Conference in Sydney, Australia. Sadly, Verna passed away from cancer in 1968. But, Donald’s service to the Bahá’í Faith continued, inspired by his wife, who had, as he described, “… led me into the Faith … lived as a Bahá’í … [and] taught me how to treat and behave toward my fellow man.”
In the following years, MacLaren met and married his second wife, Alice. Wherever they traveled, they spoke about the Bahá’í Faith. MacLaren known for preferring to recite his prayers in the Cree language. At the age of 85, MacLaren quoted in an interview, regarding the Bahá’í Faith. “If you believe in it, you’re active in it.” Donald MacLaren passed away in Vancouver on 4 July 1988.
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