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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Harry Woodward Donkersley

In memory of:

Flight Lieutenant Harry Woodward Donkersley

January 16, 1944

Military Service


Service Number:

J/8203

Age:

24

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Honours and Awards:

Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar

Additional Information


Son of Harry Dyson Donkersley, and of Gladys Donkersley, of Powell River, British Columbia.

Commemorated on Page 292 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

OTTAWA MEMORIAL
Ontario, Canada

Grave Reference:

Panel 3. Column 3.

Location:

The Ottawa Memorial stands on the north-eastern point of Green Island in the City of Ottawa. Overlooking the northern branch of the Twin Falls of the Rideau River, it commands a panoramic view of the Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills beyond. The Memorial commemorates those of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth who lost their lives while serving in units operating from bases in Canada, the British West Indies and the United States of America, or while training in Canada and the U.S.A., and who have no known graves. The main feature of the Ottawa Memorial is a sculptured terrestrial globe in bronze, 3 metres in diameter, on a base formed by three bronze beavers rising from the centre of an ornamental pool. The globe, of open lattice-work corresponding to the lines of latitude and longitude, on which the land masses are super imposed in low relief, is crowned by the Air Forces emblem of a bronze eagle with outspread wings. Two curved screen walls faced in limestone, bearing cast bronze panels on which the names appear, face inwards towards the globe. They are placed slightly off centre to allow a clear view through the Ottawa Memorial from the central steps on Sussex Drive and from the wide pathway. Two Air Force crest exist in the paving between the screen walls. A dedicatory inscription, in English on one screen wall and in French on the other, is incised in the stonework between the bronze name panels, which reads as follows:
1939 - 1945
In honoured memory of the men and women of the air forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who gave their lives in Canada, in the United States of America and neighbouring lands and who have no known grave.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of HARRY WOODWARD DONKERSLEY– 23/03/43 - Flight Lieutenant H.W. Donkersley of Powell River, B.C. a veteran of Mediteranean air battles, received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar at an investiture at Buckingham Palace, for his great successes in sinking enemy supply ships.
  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Harry Woodward Donkersley– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Harry Woodward Donkersley– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Harry Woodward Donkersley– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Harry Woodward Donkersley– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Harry Woodward Donkersley– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Harry Woodward Donkersley– Harry Woodward Donkersley c1943
  • Memorial– Ottawa Memorial … In honoured memory of the men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who gave their lives in Canada, in the United States of America and in neighbouring lands and seas and who  have no known grave. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens October 2023.
  • Memorial– Flight Lieutenant Harry Woodward Donkersley as commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial, Ottawa, ON. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens October 2023.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Vancouver Sun.  Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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