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Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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Remembering Jack Memory of John (Jack) McDonell honoured at home and abroad
John Donald McDonell, better known as Jack, died in an airplane crash in Scotland, May 16, 1943. Contributed photo
By Percy N. Hébert Smithers/Interior News
H
e was 21. Tomorrow, May 16, marks the 70th anniversary of the passing of Flying Officer John Donald McDonell, a native of Smithers. Better known as Jack, McDonell, by all accounts, was a friend to all, including fellow Smithereens and Armed Forces veterans, Gordon Williams Sr. and Gordon Hetherington. “Jack was a great guy,” Williams said. “When Jack was present the conversation would liven up.” Hetherington, a childhood friend of McDonell, remembers his skills as an athlete. “We used to play catch, Jack was a good baseball player,” Hetherington said. “He played all positions and was a good hitter.” McDonell was born in New Hazelton, Aug. 21, 1921 to Alexander Roy and Ellen (Nellie) McDonell. The family moved to Smithers following Nellie’s
death just prior to Jack’s second birthday. Jack, an only child, graduated from Smithers secondary school and went to work for the Royal Bank of Canada. “Talking to him you knew he was smart,” Williams said. “If the conversation was short of topics, Jack had them all.” “He was a giggler,” Hetherington added with a chuckle. Hetherington recalls McDonell had a sense of humour, often using cheques to pay 50 cent bills. In September 1941 Jack resigned from the RBC to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force. In early 1943, following flight training at various locations across Canada, Jack was sent overseas and stationed at the Royal Air Force Air Base Fraserburg with No. 8 Operational Training Unit. A favoured target of Luftwaffe bombers returning to northern Norway, Air Base Fraserburg, located on the northern coast of Scotland, opened in 1941 and by 1943 became a training centre for photographic reconnaissance by Spitfire pilots. On May 16, 1943, McDonell was sent on a reconnaissance training flight, to prepare him for similar flights over Norway to assess the strength of the German forces stationed there. McDonell’s Spitfire developed engine trouble during the flight. With heavy clouds affecting visibility, McDonell flew on a wing and a prayer, hoping to find a safe landing spot, but instead he crashed near Fort William, into the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles. To honour Jack, Robert Cairns of the Lochaber Archaeology Society, who worked at the crash site and
204 Babine Royal Canadian Sea Cadets invites the public to attend our
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May 22nd, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Bulkley Valley Christian School Gym
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We invite everyone to celebrate our Cadet’s accomplishments by attending this important event.
pieced together the events of the day, spearheaded a memorial for McDonell to mark the 70th anniversary of the crash. During the ceremony, a wreath will be placed at the crash site and plaque will be unveiled at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre.. “I decided the people of Fort William should hear the story about the young Canadian officer who lost his life protecting others,” Cairns said. “It is only proper that we put up a memorial for this young man who gave his life for a better future for all of us.” With a population of about 750 residents most people in Smithers knew of Jack and his death affected the entire community. News of the crash hit hard. “It was a sad day,” Williams said. Harry Kruisselbrink never met Jack, but knew his family and friends and helped Cairns piece together Jack’s story. “The whole town went into mourning, it really affected the whole town badly,” Kruisselbrink said was the reaction in Smithers. So moved by the story, Kruisselbrink organized a plaque unveiling here in Smithers to coincide with that in Scotland. “It’s an honour for me to be at the ceremony to honour his name.” The ceremony, May 16, begins at 3 p.m. at the Smithers Cenotaph and is followed by a reception at the legion at 3:30 p.m. McDonell is buried in Tomnahurich Cemetery, Inverness, Scotland. With files from Robert Cairns and Harry Kruisselbrink.
Community Calendar
To list your nonprofit coming events please drop off your listing at The Interior News, 3764 Broadway Ave., fax us at 250-847-2995, or email laura@interior-news.com. Deadline for submissions is Fridays at noon. Maximum 25 words. Limited space is available. We regret we cannot accept items over the phone.
How To Build FM Antenna designed to strengthen the 93.9 frequency so will improve your listening experience. Workshop at the Smithers Library, Friday, May 17, 10-11 a.m. For more info., contact CICK 93.9 Smithers Community Radio 250-847-8769, editor@smithersradio.com Annual Ceremonial Review: 204 Babine Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Wednesday, May 22, 6 p.m. BV Christian High School Gym, Stay for tea and goodies. A Downside of High David Suzuki film with a discussion to follow, Thursday, May 23, 7-9 p.m. at the Healthy Living Hub. Everyone is welcome. Perennial Plant Sale Saturday, May 25, Goat Statue Parking Lot. Viewing 8 a.m. sale 9 a.m. to noon. Donated plant pick up or digging help call Karen Mitchell at 250-847-9052 or Dale Gilbert at 250847-2107. Acrylic painting workshop: Saturday, June 1, 2-4 p.m., $50 all materials supplied, register at the Smithers Art Gallery.
Smithers Art Gallery’s June Ceramics Exhibition. A representation of clay that goes beyond the traditional functional work. Please contact: Michel Kafer, m_kafer@hotmail.com, 250-877-1244 to participate. 2013 Relay For Life Saturday, June 8, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Chandler Park Middle School. Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back. Join us for the Smithers Relay For Life. Cheryl Gilber, smithersrelay@bc.cancer. ca, 250-645-2368. Third annual FreeCycle at the Smithers Baptist Church Saturday, June 8, 9 a.m. to noon downstairs in the church at 3919 7th Ave. Everyone welcome. Wildflowers and Birds Sunday, June 9, a family hike to see our wonderful spring flowers, hear birdsong and have a picnic on top of Malkow Lookout. Meet at 9 a.m. at the trail head on McCabe Rd. 100 Years/100 Artists Community Centennial Exhibition the Smithers Art Gallery is looking for artists to participate. Entry forms at the Gallery. Registration deadline is July 2. Full details at www.smithersart.org.