Private Donald A Race

Donald Angus Race was the son of George Thomas and Laura Annie Race, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He was 5’ 6”, 120 lbs, fair complexion, Blue eyes, Brown hair and with 20/20 vision. He was granted permission to marry Miss Helen Louisa Rosalie Watson, of Picardville, Alberta, on or after 6 November 1942, but there is doubt that the marriage actually took place. He enlisted on 22 July 1942 at Edmonton Wing, No 13 District Depot, he arrived in the UK on 1 September 1943. He qualified as a parachutist on 18 October 1943, at RAF Ringway and took part in Operation Overlord (Normandy).

His brother Alban Thomas Race also served.

Private Race and the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion jumped into France on 5/6 June 1944. He was killed in action on 9 June 1944, aged 20, and was given a field burial on the east side of La Hogue road, on top of the verge, and was re-interred to Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France, on 17 August 1945.

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