MacDonald, Hugh Allan

Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:: July 31st, 1919 (Morar/Nova Scotia, Canada)
Date of death:: June 8th, 1944 (Saint-Germain-la-Blanche-Herbe, France)
Buried on:: Canadian War Cemetery Bretteville-sur-Laize
Plot: XIV. Row: E. Grave: 9.
Service number:: F/5361
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Hugh Allan MacDonald was the son of Duncan MacDonald and was raised in a Roman Catholic household. Prior to his enlistment, Hugh worked as a lumberman and lived in Morar, maintaining a modest life rooted in rural Nova Scotia. He was single at the time of his enlistment and had no children or dependents.

Hugh enlisted in the Canadian Army on February 1, 1942, during the height of World War II. He was assigned the regimental number F-5361 and served as a Private in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, a unit of the Canadian Active Service Force. His military training began at the Basic Training Centre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, and he later completed advanced training, demonstrating qualities of leadership and a cooperative attitude throughout his service.

Physically, Hugh was described as having a dark complexion, brown eyes, and fair hair. He stood six feet tall and weighed approximately 147 pounds. His medical records indicated that he was in good health, with no history of serious illness or disability, and he was deemed fit for Category A service.

During his time in the army, Hugh served overseas in Europe, participating in the Normandy campaign.

Tragically, Hugh Allan MacDonald was murdered as a POW by Waffen-SS soldiers during the intense fighting following the D-Day landings, as Canadian forces advanced through Normandy. He was buried at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in France.

Following his death, his father Duncan MacDonald, residing in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, was identified as his next of kin and received his war service gratuity and campaign medals. Hugh left no will, and his estate was modest.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!