Allan Connel MacDonald was the son of Allan and Margaret MacDonald, of Oban and the husband of Margaret MacDonald, of Hawick, Roxburghshire. He lived at 121 George Street Oban and enlisted in Oban on 6 February 1939 into the 204th Battery of the 51st (West Highland) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery, Territorial Army. On the 10 October 1942 the 204th Battery converted into the 2nd (Oban) Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery RA.
He served with the BEF in France from 2 February to 21 June 1940.
In North Africa from 13 April 1943 to 4 January 1944 and during this period took part in the Taranto landings in Italy.
North West Europe from 18 September 1944 to 5 April 1945.
Sergeant MacDonald successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway, on course number 14 from 25 May to 4 June 1942 and also completed glider training at RAF Stoke Orchard, Gloucestershire on 20 October 1942. He was then sent for wireless instruction on the number 18 and 38 Radio Sets which he completed on 8 December 1942.
Sgt MacDonald served with F Troop (17 Pdr Anti-Tank Guns), 2 Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery, and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).
He was listed as missing on 26 September 1944, and later confirmed as being a POW in Germany. He returned to the UK on 6 April 1945, and died of malnutrition at the American Hospital, Stockbridge, the next day, 7 April 1945, age 31. He is buried at Oban (Pennyfuir) Cemetery.
If you are part of Sgt MacDonald’s family and would like to complete this biography, you can apply to the Curator to do so. To do this you will need to become a member of ParaData and select the 'friend or family member' option on the registration form.
If you would like to find out more about becoming a member please visit our registration page.
Members of ParaData can submit their material by clicking on the 'Add content to this article' button on the right.
By Rod Gibson with additional information and photo from Bettina MacDonald, Granddaughter.
Read More
Latest Comments
There are currently no comments for this content.
Add Comment
In order to add comments you must be registered with ParaData.
If you are currently a ParaData member please login.
If you are not currently a ParaData member but wish to get involved please register.