19th August 1942, Dieppe Raid and Gower (Update)

 

Spitfire MK VB

credit - Canadian Virtual War Memorial

The Dieppe Raid was also launched on the 19^th August 1942, and one of those pilots giving support to the Canadian Forces was Pilot Officer Donald Munro Iverach. On 23rd August Iverach was flying a Spitfire MK VB and practising dog fighting tactics with another spitfire, when his aircraft started a long dive. An eyewitness, Emrys Jones, of Great Lunnon Farm, Parkmill, Gower whilst out cycling watched the aircraft’s descent, hoping that the pilot would pull up. The dive of over 6,000 ft turned into a spin, and the plane came down on Cefn Bryn Common. To Jones’ surprise the plane was still intact, the pilot, Iverach, was dead slumped forward in the cockpit.

Pilot Officer 
Donald Munro Iverach
St. Hilary’s Church, Killay

Pilot Officer Donald Munro Iverach was a crew member of the No. 421 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force which was also based at RAF Fairwood Common. He was the squadron’s first casualty since its formation in 1942. He is also buried at St. Hilary’s Church, Killay.

Censuses undertaken in Canada are carried every 5 years, unlike in UK, every decade.  The first modern one, was during 1867, when The Constitution Act, 1867, was passed.  The Act required that a census was carried out every 10 years.

National census was caried out 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911, 1921, 1931, 1941, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 and a further planed for the 2026. They are released after 92 years.

Census carried out the Prairie provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta states) were taken every 5 years from 1906 to 1956, then followed the National census date. 

The 1916 Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, is the first record where Donal is recorded.

1916 Canadian Census

Donald is residing at 14, Victoria, Rossburn his parents’ home.  David, 41, Clergyman was born in Scotland and immigrated to Canada during the 1880s.  Wife Catherine M. E., 37.  Children Jessie, 9; David, 7; Isla, 5; Donald, 3 and Catherine, 1.

Three years later Catherine dies.

1931 Canadian Census

The 1931 Census, David, 59 is living at Neepawa, Manitoba.  His occupation is Minister.  Also present is Isla Margaret, 20, Homemaker; Catherine M., 16, Student and John Alexander, 14, Student.

1931 Canadian Census

Meanwhile, Donald, 18, at the same time is living on his own at Brandon.  His occupation is Ledger Clerk having been employed by Bank of Montreal, since 1929. Donald enlisted to the Canadian RAF, 1940.