Lieutenant Ian Cameron MacDonell of the Royal Flying Corps, the only son of General ‘Batty Mac’ MacDonell.
Ian born 11 March 1895 in Lethbridge, Alberta. His attestation paper on 20 October 1914 notes he is already an Aviator. He obtained his brevet from the Royal Aero Club in December 1913 after passing at Bristol Flying School at Brooklands. Presently in the militia with the Cadets of Lord Strathcona’s Horse. He stood 5′ 9″ tall with dark complexion, brown eyes and brown hair.
Alfred_Munnings-Lord_Strathconas_Horse_on_the_March_CWM
Son of Lt. Gen. Sir Archibald Cameron Macdonell, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., and Lady Macdonell, of 3026, Six “A” Street West., Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Brigadier-General Jack Seely
On 31 March 1915, Lieutenant Ian Cameron MacDonell appointed temporary Captain and ADC to Brig-Gen Seely DSO. Seconded for duty with HQ of the 1st Canadian Mounted Brigade. Ian landed in France on 4 May 1915, but less than a month later, Lt Ian MacDonell evacuated to England.
Brig-Gen Jack Seely above with his new ADC who replaced Captain MacDonell.
Return to England
On 2 June 1915 treated for tonsillitis at 5th General Hospital, Birmingham.
Royal Flying Corps
Lieutenant Ian Cameron MacDonell granted authority to attend Flying School for instruction, attached to RFC from 7 September 1915.
Appointed Flying Officer and seconded, 24 November 1915.
Accident
Flying Scholl accident on 8 December 1915. Discharged from hospital on 23 December 1915 at Birmingham.
Leutnant Max Ritter von Mulzer
On the 2nd of July, it was Max Ritter von Mulzer’s turn again. His 7th already at Miraumont on a British B.E.2c (2654) around 14.00 hours. Most sources say this was 2654 from 9 Sqdn, but the time does not correspond. It is more likely to be 11 Sqdn’s FE2b 6357 who was attacked by two enemy planes, making a POW of both crew members, 2nd Lt. JW Toone and 2nd Lt. EB Harvey.
Oberleutnant Stefan Kirmaier’s First Kill
The plane 2654 from 9 Sqdn is most probably the victim of Stefan Kirmaier. However Kirmaier is said to have been stationed at KEK Jametz at this moment, which is, in any case, much to far away to have been flying with this unit. As we do not know with which unit he served at this moment, we will mention his victory here.
It was crewed by Lt Ian Cameron MacDonnell and 2nd Lt. Hugh Albert Wiliamson who were both kiled in the crash of their plane (ARRAS FLYING MEMORIAL).
Williamson was 29, his body was never found and he is remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial. He was the son of Mrs. MA Williamson of Irlam View, Broad Road, Sale, Cheshire, and the late Hugh Williamson.
Death of Mulzer & Kirmaier
Leutnant Max Ritter von Mulzer (10 Victories) killed in a crash while testing the performance of a new Albatros D.I., 26 September 1916 at Armee Flug Park 6, Valenciennes,
Oberleutnant Stefan Kirmaier (11 Victories) killed in action when his Albatros D.II shot down by Kelvin Crawford and John Andrews, 22 November 1916 over Les Boeufs.
Macdonell & Scott
In December 1915, Ian’s father promoted to take command of the 7th Infantry Brigade. When Macdonell left the 7th CIB just under a year later, he remarked, “The Brigade has always been a source of pride and joy to me, and when sorrow came into my life, and my only son was killed in action. it was the Brigade that saved me–pulled me through and comforted me.”
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