The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. D D MacKinnon

Donald Duncan MacKinnon was born in Nairobi on 12th June 1919, the son of Duncan MacKinnon (1877-1920) and Marjorie Grant Mackinnon (nee Mackenzie 1892-1943).

His father was a founder, with his brother John, of MacKinnon Brothers, storekeepers in Nairobi and Mombasa.

He joined the RAFVR about March 1939 as an Airman u/t WOp/AG.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and joined 236 Squadron at North Coates in March 1940.

MacKinnon failed to return from a photographic-reconnaissance operation over Le Havre on 18th July 1940 in Blenheim L6639. The weather was bad and intense flak was encountered over Cap de la Hague though it is believed the aircraft was shot down by a Me109.

The pilot P/O RH Rigby was also killed.

MacKinnon was 21. He is buried in Villerville Communal Cemetery, France.

Above image courtesy of Michel Schreiber.