Profile image
Military service
Service number:
J/40804
Age:
23
Rank:
Flying Officer
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Division:
431 Sqdn
Birth:
March 21, 1921
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Enlistment:
April 12, 1943
Toronto, Ontario
Death:
March 11, 1945
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
1. B. 5.
Additional information
Son of Alexander Joseph and Catherine C. Hector, of Toronto, Ontario. B.A. (University of Toronto).
Digital gallery of Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
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Memorial
The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of "F/O D.K.J. HECTOR R.C.A.F.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations. -
Soldiers' Tower Memorial
The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed. A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations. -
Memorial room
Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations. -
Memorial Book
University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 28 reads: F/O Donal Kevin Joseph HECTOR, 431 Sqn RCAF. St Michael’s College, BA, 1943. Killed in an air operation over Essen, Germany, 1945. Buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Germany. -
St. Michael’s College Memorial
The memorial slype between More and Fisher Houses on the University of Toronto campus commemorates the men of St. Michael’s College (University of Toronto) and St. Michael’s College School (a private Catholic high school) who died in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean conflict. -
St. Michael’s College Memorial Intro
Inscriptions in the stone walls of the slype between More and Fisher Houses on the University of Toronto campus commemorate the men of St. Michael’s College (University of Toronto) and St. Michael’s College School (a private Catholic high school) who died in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean conflict. -
Detail of St. Michael’s College Memorial
Showing some of the Second World War names including that of Donal Kevin Hector. -
Photo of Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
from Torontonensis 1943 (University of Toronto yearbook) -
Photo of St. Michael’s College Hockey team
from Torontonensis 1943 (University of Toronto yearbook) shows D. Hector in back row, fourth from photo left. -
Newman Centre Memorial
This framed scroll hangs in the St. Thomas Aquinas Church at the Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy & Parish, located on the University of Toronto campus. “For King and Country Members of Newman Club of the University of Toronto Who Have Volunteered for Active Service with Canada’s Fighting Forces”. Among the names written in calligraphy is that of Donald [sic] Hector. -
Photo of Donal Hector
From: University of Toronto Memorial Book Second World War 1939-1945. The book was published by the Soldiers' Tower Committee, University of Toronto. <P> Submitted with permission, by Operation Picture Me. -
Entrance
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Cemetery
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Grave marker
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Photo of DONAL KEVIN JOSEPH HECTOR
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of DONAL KEVIN JOSEPH HECTOR
Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of DONAL KEVIN JOSEPH HECTOR
This poem was written by Sister Kathleen Celine Hector (the eldest sister of Donal Kevin Joseph Hector) on the night the family got news of his plane gone missing over Essen Germany. It is a beautiful piece of art and a lovely poem and tribute to her brother and one I would love to share with the world. My mother Maureen Constance (Hector) Zalusky gave it to me after her death. -
Memorial
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star December 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 523 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY Germany
The REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY is located 5 km south west of Kleve. From Kleve the cemetery is located, using the Hoffmannallee from the Town Centre, which becomes the Materbornerallee. This road enters Reichswald Forest and becomes the Grunewaldstrasse. Follow direction Gennep, entering Reichswald Forest the cemetery is situated 500 metres on the left.
Alternatively from the motorway 57, take exit Kleve/Goch, which leads onto the 9 N road in the direction towards Kleve. After 3 km turn left on to the 504 direction Kranenburg. Reichswald cemetery is clearly signposted on the 504 at cross roads Grunewald. REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY is situated on the Grunewald Strasse direction Kleve on the right, 3 km from cross roads Grunewald.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
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