Donald Munro Iverach
Pilot Officer Donald Munro Iverach — A Canadian Pilot of the Dieppe Raid
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| Donald Munro Iverach |
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| Spitfire MK VB |
On 23rd August 1942, just days after the
raid, Iverach was flying a Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB in a practice
dogfight over the Gower Peninsula. During the exercise, his aircraft suddenly
entered a steep dive of more than 6,000 feet. Emrys Jones, a
local man cycling near Great Lunnon Farm, Parkmill, witnessed the descent.
Hoping desperately the pilot would recover, he watched as the dive became a
spin. The Spitfire came down on Cefn Bryn Common. Remarkably, the
aircraft remained largely intact, but inside the cockpit, Donald Iverach was
found slumped forward, already dead.
He was just 29 years old. His burial at St.
Hilary’s Churchyard, Killay, marked the first loss suffered by No. 421
Squadron since its formation earlier that year.
Early Life
Donald Munro Iverach was born in 1913 in Manitoba,
the son of Reverend David Iverach and Catherine M. E. Iverach (née
Munro). His father had emigrated from Scotland to Canada during the
1880s, where he became a clergyman.
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| 1916 Canadian Census |
The 1916 Canadian Census records the family living at 14 Victoria, Rossburn, Manitoba. David, aged 41, is noted as a clergyman; Catherine was 37. Their children were Jessie (9), David (7), Isla (5), Donald (3), and Catherine (1). Tragedy struck three years later when Catherine, Donald’s mother, died, leaving his father to raise the children.
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| 1931 Canadian Census |
By the 1931 Canadian Census, David, now 59, was ministering at Neepawa, Manitoba. Still at home were Isla (20), Catherine (16), and John Alexander (14).
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| 1931 Canadian Census |
Donald, then 18, was living independently in Brandon, where he worked as a ledger clerk with the Bank of Montreal, a position he had held since 1929.
Military Service
In 1940, with the war escalating, Donald enlisted
with the Royal Canadian Air Force. His service led him to Britain,
where he trained as a fighter pilot and was posted to No. 421 Squadron, RCAF.
Formed in April 1942 and equipped with Spitfires, the squadron
was part of Fighter Command’s reinforcement of Canadian air power in the UK.
Death and Burial
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| Donald Munro Iverach St. Hilary’s Church, Killay credit - findagrave |
Only four months into its existence, No. 421
Squadron suffered its first fatality with Donald’s accident. Though
not lost in combat, his death was a sharp reminder of the dangers inherent
in even routine training flights.
On 23rd August 1942, Pilot Officer Iverach
lost his life when his Spitfire crashed on Cefn Bryn Common. He was buried
with honour at St. Hilary’s Churchyard, Killay, where his grave today rests
alongside those of other young men from across the Commonwealth who gave
their lives in service.
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