Donald MacLaren was born at Ottawa Ontario on 28th May 1893 MacLaren became a fur trader and did not join the Royal Flying Corps until 1917. Flying a Sopwith Camel, MacLaren had 49 victories until he was forced to end his combat career after breaking a leg in October 1918. MacLaren, who won the Military Cross in June 1918 was the third most successful Canadian Flying Ace after William Bishop and William Collishaw. Following the Armistice MacLaren helped form the Royal Canadian Air Force before retiring to begin a career in civil aviation. Donald MacLaren died on 4th July 1989.
Donald MacLaren was the inspiration for "Mac" the very successful Flight Commander in V M Yeates' classic novel Winged Victory. Yeates served with MacLaren in No 46 Sqn, and his book is a 'must read' for anyone interested in the war in the air. Gareth
