Private Ivan George McDonald

Service # L.155536 – South Saskatchewan Regiment
Died of Wounds: September 21, 1944, Age 22

Ivan George McDonald was born on June 18, 1922, to Austin and Caroline McDonald, who farmed about nine miles east of Tyner, Saskatchewan. He grew up in a large family with one older brother, Cecil, three younger brothers—Lloyd, Harvey, and Mervyn—and two sisters, Mabel and Gladys.

Ivan first served with the Rocky Mountain Rangers and, in 1943, took part in the combined Canadian-American assault on the Japanese-held island of Kiska, off the coast of Alaska. After returning from Kiska, the Rangers were sent to Great Britain to serve as replacements for Canadian regiments that had suffered heavy losses following D-Day.

In early September 1944, Ivan joined the South Saskatchewan Regiment, which was engaged in intense fighting along the border of France and Belgium. He was wounded in action on September 17 and succumbed to his injuries four days later, on September 21, 1944. Ivan was laid to rest in the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium.

Service ran deep in the McDonald family—brothers Cecil and Lloyd also served in the army, with Cecil spending time overseas as a prisoner of war. Today, a display honouring Ivan’s memory can be found at the Elrose Museum, ensuring that his courage and sacrifice are not forgotten.