Sergeant James MacKay

Royal Canadian Air Force

Dodsland, Saskatchewan

Died: Jan 11,1943

Commemorated at Hoosier Cemetery

James MacKay, born April 13, 1920 at Tain, Ross-shire, Scotland, came to Canada with his family in June 1925, settling in Saskatchewan as homestead farmers. MacKay completed his education at Viewfair School at Dodsland, Saskatchewan in 1936 before working as a farm labourer on the family farm at Dodsland. Following enlistment at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan December 28, 1942, MacKay served with the Royal Canadian Air Force attached to the No. 426 (Thunderbird) Squadron (On Wings of Fire) as a Flying Officer (Air Bomber) during the Second World War. Part of Bomber Command’s No. 6 (R.C.A.F.) Group and based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, England, the squadron flew Lancaster bombers in bombing raids over France and Germany. On December 16, 1943, Flying Officer (Air Bomber) James MacKay died after his Lancaster bomber crashed in bad weather at Yearsley, North Yorkshire following a raid on Berlin, Germany. He is commemorated at Harrogate (Stonefall), Yorkshire, England, on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall, Nanton, Alberta and on the Dodsland Memorial, Saskatchewan. Only son of James Donald and Catherine (nee Campbell) MacKay of Dodsland; brother of Elizabeth and Kate MacKay; he was 23 years old. MacKay Lake, near Thompson Lake, Saskatchewan is named in his honour. Citation(s): 1939-1945 Star, Aircrew Europe Star, General Service Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp.