1924 (Approximate) - July 31, 2003
Donald Stuart McGibbon attended St. Andrew's College, living at 27 McGill Street, Hawkesbury, Ontario. He was the son of Samuel E. and Marjorie McGibbon, later of Montreal.
Donald Stewart ‘Buck’ McGibbon was part of the University Air Training Corps (U.A.T.C.) program with No. 5 (McGill University) Squadron – 29-October-1942. He was in his 2nd year in Science at McGill University when he enlisted in the RCAF.
His older brother, Flight Sergeant James Edmund McGIBBON (R.154079) of the R.C.A.F., was KIA on 4-April-1944 while piloting Halifax V LK738 with No. 161 Sqn over France while on an Allied Forces Special Duty Operation.
Donald 'Buck' McGibbon trained at No. 9 EFTS, St. Catharines, Ontario and later at No. 6 S.F.T.S. (Service Flying Training School) Dunnville, ON. Course No. 94 based upon No. 6 S.F.T.S. Dunnville, ON. Museum - Class “94” April 6/44 signature book for D.S. McGibbon from Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada; The Ottawa Journal (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) · 15 May 1944, Mon · Page 13 – “PO. DONALD S. McGIBBON, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. McGibbon, Hawkesbury, Ont., who received his wings and commission at Dunnville, Ont., on April 6. He was educated at Hawkesbury schools, and attended St. Andrew’s College at Aurora, and was in second year Science at McGill University when he joined the R.C.A.F. in February, 1943. His brother, Flt. Sgt. Pilot James E. McGibbon, with the Bomber Command overseas, is reported missing after air operations over enemy territory. He had completed third year Commerce at McGill University. Both are members of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.”
He later went to No. 1 OTU Bagotville, Quebec, Course 26 from April 24 - July 14, 1944. Here he made a wheels-up landing at the air firing range, two miles from the Control Tower at Lac St. Jean, Quebec, having engine trouble in a Hurricane aircraft. He was carrying out a low level bombing exercise at the time.
F/O D.S. McGibbon flew 14 combat Ops between 23-April-1945 to 4-May-1945 with 439 Sqn. After the disbandment of No. 439 Sqn., Buck McGibbon served in the British Air Force of Occupation (B.A.F.O.) with 416 Sqn. flying Spitfires while based in Uetersen, Germany from 19-Sep-1945 to 14-Nov-1945.
On April 29, 1945, he 'pranged his kite [RB377] on the runway due to the stiff crosswind and no brakes, but finger trouble is also suspected.'
Post-war: Three pilots, Harrison, Keith Wright and “Buck” McGibbon were employed by the Babbs Company of Montreal ferrying Harvard aircraft to Newark, New York, U.S.A. where they were shipped to the Netherlands for service with the Dutch government. Sadly, on June 24, 1948 J.L. Harrison 24-June-1948 went missing west of Fort William, ON. while ferrying a Harvard enroute from Calgary, AB. to Newark, N.J. This was the second occasion that the three pilots, Harrison, Keith Wright and “Buck” McGibbon flew the Harvards east.
Buck was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Alumni, mentioned in September 1955's THE SCROLL. He was listed as living in Montreal, working at Crabtree & McLaughlin, in West Montreal, Quebec.
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