Flight Lieutenant Harold Kennedy Macdonald

Flight Lieutenant Macdonald, No.603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, The Auxiliary Air Force, was born on 24th February 1912, and at Loretto from October 25th to December 30th. He was in the VI Form and a Lance-Corporal in the O.T.C. On leaving School he went up to Peterhouse, Cambridge where he rowed in the Trial Eights and was captain of his college boats. He graduated at Cambridge, and later, in 1938, was admitted Writer to His Majesty`s Signet in Edinburgh. As a fighter pilot he took part in the Battle of Britain during August and September 1940, and brought down the first night marauder in this country. Shortly afterwards he gave, under instructions, a broadcast of the incident and was congratulated on it by the Air Marshal, then at the head of R.A.F. Fighter Command in London. On 28th September 1940 he was killed while meeting an enemy attack over the Thames Estuary. When his aircraft had been hit and was about to crash, though he might have baled out, with complete disregard for his own safety he remained in the machine in order to bring it down clear of any buildings. In this he succeeded. It crashed close to a crowded barrack room, which but for his action must have been hit. For this gallant deed, which cost him his life, Flight Lieutenant Macdonald was mentioned in Despatches.

Lieutenant Ian Lester Macdonald

Lieutenant Macdonald, 5th Battalion, The Black Watch, was born on 6th April 1923, and at Loretto from September 1936 to July 1941. He was a House Prefect, in the VI Form, Hockey and Swimming Teams, and a Sergeant in the J.T.C. After joining the Royal Artillery in August 1941, he passed out first cadet at his O.C.T.U., and was commissioned in October 1942. From June to August 1944 he took part in the invasion of France, and, on the breaking up of his unit shortly afterwards, returned to this country for infantry training and was transferred to the Black Watch. In February 1945 he went again to the Continent as a Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion of the Black Watch, which formed part of the 51st Division. He was killed in action on the night of the 25th of the same month, while leading his men in an attack on a strong point of the Siegfried Line, at Goch in Germany.

"Though he had been with the Battalion only a very short time, he had made friends at once with everyone, and had also shown himself a first-class officer and leader in battle." "I was truly sorry to lose him. As you know, it is always the best officers who go."

Private Frederick James McGugan

Private McGugan, 1st Battalion. The Straits Settlement Volunteers, was born on 19th September 1909, and at Loretto from May 1923 to July 1927. He was a House Prefect, in the VI Form, and a Corporal in the O.T.C. On mobilisation, McGugan`s Battalion was attached to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and he served with them from the outbreak of war with Japan. At the fall of Singapore he was taken prisoner and spent three and a half years in internment camps. After being released he was found to be suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and was sent to India, where he was joined by his sister, who had gone out on purpose to be with him. Though very ill, he was determined to get home, and they embarked on a hospital ship; but when only four days` steaming from England he died at sea on 4th February 1946. Throughout his illness, which was brought on by privation and malnutrition while a prisoner in Japanese hands in Borneo, he showed the greatest courage.

"At all times his unselfishness was outstanding. Even when he was ill and things were at their worst his kindness and consideration for other prisoners was wonderful."