Corporal Joseph Duncan McArthur

Corporal Joseph Duncan McArthur, known as Duncan J. MacArthur, was born at Plattsburgh, New York, on 16 December 1918. Raised in the Hemmingford–Havelock area, he attended Hemmingford Intermediate School and took horticultural training at Macdonald College. Before enlistment he worked in farming and as a driver-salesman for Toilet Laundries and Dyers in Montreal. After militia service with the Black Watch, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at Montreal on 17 February 1941. He served as a motor-transport driver in Canada and Britain, including postings and attachments to 415 and 418 Squadrons and RCAF Overseas Headquarters. He returned to Canada in September 1945 and was released at Rockcliffe on 16 October, receiving the Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp and War Medal. He married Vera Muriel Lancaster in Ottawa on 14 May 1949, according to existing family research. A musician who played drums in bands, he later served as president of Eastview Legion Branch 462. MacArthur died on 17 July 1994, aged 75, survived by his wife and daughter Sandra Lynn.

1918-12-16 — Born Joseph Duncan McArthur. [Plattsburgh, New York, United States]
1921-06-01 — Existing family research records residence in Havelock. [Havelock, Quebec]
1935 — Completed schooling at Hemmingford Intermediate School; school certificate says passed Grade 9, while counselling records Grade 8. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1936 to 1937 — Took a short horticultural course at Macdonald College; counselling records six months. [Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec]
1937 to 1938 — Worked on the family farm. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1939 — Worked for six months as a shipper at Toilet Laundries. [Montreal, Quebec]
1939 to 1941 — Worked as a driver-salesman for Toilet Laundries and Dyers. [Montreal, Quebec]
1940 to 1941 — Prior service as a Private with the Black Watch, Non-Permanent Active Militia. [Montreal, Quebec]
1941-01-28 — Toilet Laundries Limited supplied a reference describing him as honest, sober and reliable. [750 Guy Street, Montreal, Quebec]
1941-01-30 — T. G. McClatchie supplied a character reference. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1941-02-01 — Hemmingford Protestant School Board certified that he passed Grade 9. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1941-02-03 — A. Ross Grafton introduced him to the RCAF recruiting officer; sought chauffeur duties and accepted General Services if necessary. [Montreal, Quebec]
1941-02-04 — Entry medical examination: 5 feet 6 inches, 156 pounds; chest 36½ inches with 2½-inch expansion; category A4B. [Montreal, Quebec]
1941-02-17 — Enlisted in the RCAF Special Reserve as Aircraftman 2nd Class, R94006, General Duties Standard; affirmed the engagement declaration. [Montreal, Quebec]
1941-02-18 — Taken on strength of No. 1 Manning Depot. [Toronto, Ontario]
1941-03-12 — Taken on strength of No. 3 Initial Training School following departure from No. 1 Manning Depot on 11 March. [Victoriaville, Quebec]
1941-05-17 — Advanced to Aircraftman 1st Class; recommendation concurred in on 23 May. [No. 3 Initial Training School, Victoriaville, Quebec]
1941-06-05 — Driver Transport course/test recorded. [No. 3 Initial Training School, Victoriaville, Quebec]
1941-07-29 — Medical officer recommended exchanging badly fitting shoes to prevent foot injury. [No. 3 Initial Training School, Victoriaville, Quebec]
1941-08-17 — Advanced to Leading Aircraftman according to repeated service records; identification card confirms LAC by 24 September. [No. 3 Initial Training School, Victoriaville, Quebec]
1941-08-20 — Further Driver Transport course/test recorded. [No. 3 Initial Training School, Victoriaville, Quebec]
1941-08-25 to 1941-09-01 — Seven days’ leave recorded. [No. 3 Initial Training School, Victoriaville, Quebec]
1941-09-24 — Identification record and fingerprints completed; recorded as LAC, 5 feet 7½ inches and 165 pounds. [No. 3 Initial Training School, Victoriaville, Quebec]
1941-10-01 — Remustered to Driver Transport, Group C; passed trade test with 45%. [No. 3 Initial Training School, Victoriaville, Quebec]
1941-10-27 to 1941-11-03 — Seven days’ annual leave. [No. 3 Initial Training School, Victoriaville, Quebec]
1941-11-21 to 1941-11-23 — Temporary duty at Montreal, followed by return to unit. [Montreal, Quebec]
1942-01-22 — Temporary duty at Waterloo and return the same day. [Waterloo, Quebec]
1942-02-04 — Vehicle-damage offence dated this day; later conduct record associates it with No. 6 Repair Depot.
1942-02-16 — Taken on strength of No. 6 Repair Depot following departure from Victoriaville on 15 February. [Trenton, Ontario]
1942-03 to 1942-05 — Temporary duty at Grand Bend recorded in handwritten movement entries. [Grand Bend, Ontario]
1942-04 to 1942-05 — Temporary duty at Picton recorded in handwritten movement entries. [Picton, Ontario]
1942-04-06 — Group Captain Simmonds imposed a $30 fine for repair costs following neglect causing damage to an RCAF vehicle. [No. 6 Repair Depot, Trenton, Ontario]
1942-05 — Temporary duty at London and Brantford. [London and Brantford, Ontario]
1942-05 to 1942-06 — Temporary duty at Mountain View and Picton. [Mountain View and Picton, Ontario]
1942-06 — Temporary duty at Tillsonburg. [Tillsonburg, Ontario]
1942-06 — Temporary-duty itinerary records London, Fingal, Mount Hope, St. George and Toronto. [Ontario]
1942-07 — Temporary duty at Deseronto. [Deseronto, Ontario]
1942-07 — Temporary-duty itinerary lists Camp Borden, Jarvis, Simcoe, London, Freelton, Guelph, Aylmer, Carleton and Toronto. [Ontario]
1942-07-02 to 1942-07-09 — Seven days’ leave recorded. [No. 6 Repair Depot, Trenton, Ontario]
1942-07-17 — Temporary duty at Petawawa; entry marked amended. [Petawawa, Ontario]
1942-08 — Temporary duty at York. [York, Ontario]
1942-08 — Temporary duty at Hagersville. [Hagersville, Ontario]
1942-08 — Temporary-duty itinerary records Brantford, Toronto, Hagersville and London; one other locality is uncertain. [Ontario]
1942-09 — Temporary duty to Noorduyn Aircraft. [Montreal, Quebec]
1942-09-14 — Found fit for overseas service; overseas dental examination recorded. [No. 6 Repair Depot, Trenton, Ontario]
1942-09-16 — Struck off strength of No. 6 Repair Depot for No. 1 Y Depot; taken on strength there on 17 September. [Halifax, Nova Scotia]
1942-10-01 — Completed statement at embarkation; named sister Mrs. Bryden Moir as legal next of kin. [No. 1 Y Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia]
1942-10-07 — Course or qualification entry headed “Gas” recorded. [No. 1 Y Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia]
1942-10-27 — Embarked from Canada for overseas service. [Halifax, Nova Scotia]
1942-11 — Transferred from RAF Padgate / No. 5 Personnel Despatch Centre to No. 415 Squadron; records give 13, 14 and 16 November. [No. 415 Squadron, United Kingdom]
1942-11-01 — Appointed temporary Corporal, paid. [RCAF overseas posting]
1942-11-04 — Disembarked in the United Kingdom.
1942-11-05 — Taken on strength at RAF Padgate. [Padgate, United Kingdom]
1942-11-29 to 1942-12-04 — Four days’ privilege leave and a 48-hour pass; travel warrant recorded. [No. 415 Squadron, United Kingdom]
1943-03-02 to 1943-03-10 — Seven days’ privilege leave and a 48-hour pass. [No. 415 Squadron, United Kingdom]
1943-03-31 — Transferred from No. 415 Squadron to Leeming; further struck-off-strength entry dated 4 April. [Leeming, United Kingdom]
1943-03-31 — No additional conduct entry certified in a record associated with No. 418 Squadron. [No. 418 Squadron, United Kingdom]
1943-05-30 to 1943-06-05 — Seven days’ privilege leave with an additional 48 hours recorded. [United Kingdom]
1943-08-18 — Transferred from Leeming and taken on strength of RCAF Overseas Headquarters. [RCAF Overseas Headquarters, United Kingdom]
1943-10-06 — Detached to No. 2 District Headquarters. [United Kingdom]
1943-10-07 to 1943-11-14 — Sub-detached to No. 415 Squadron. [United Kingdom]
1943-11 — Detachment to No. 1 District Headquarters recorded; another service sheet gives November 1944. [United Kingdom]
1943-11-15 to 1944-07-31 — Sub-detached to No. 418 Squadron. [United Kingdom]
1944-01-15 — CVSM and clasp entered in the service record. [RCAF Overseas Headquarters, United Kingdom]
1944-01-16 to 1944-01-22 — Seven days’ annual leave. [United Kingdom]
1944-06-29 — Military identity card issued with portrait. [RCAF]
1944-08-01 to 1944-08-20 — Sub-detached to Brighton. [Brighton, United Kingdom]
1944-08-21 to 1944-11-27 — Sub-detached to East Grinstead; detachment to No. 1 District Headquarters also ceased on 27 November. [East Grinstead, United Kingdom]
1944-11-13 — Seven days’ annual leave began; records give ending day 19 or 20 November. [United Kingdom]
1944-12-14 — Assessed at RCAF Overseas Headquarters as temporary Corporal; trade proficiency superior and administrative ability effective. [RCAF Overseas Headquarters, United Kingdom]
1945-03-19 — Seven days’ annual leave began; leave record gives ending day 26 March. [United Kingdom]
1945-05-28 — Left-knee X-ray requested for suspected loose body; report found no joint abnormality. [RCAF Overseas Headquarters, United Kingdom]
1945-06-11 — Seven days’ privilege/annual leave began; leave record gives ending day 18 June. [United Kingdom]
1945-07-11 — Personnel counselling recorded interest in Excise Department/civil-service work and a business course. [RCAF Overseas Headquarters, United Kingdom]
1945-08-20 — Completed repatriation statement; did not volunteer for war against Japan and requested release. [United Kingdom]
1945-08-29 — Transfer from RCAF Overseas Headquarters to RCAF R Depot recorded. [Torquay, Devon, United Kingdom]
1945-09-01 — Defence Medal entitlement provisionally assessed at RCAF R Depot. [Torquay, Devon, United Kingdom]
1945-09-04 — Posted to Canada. [RCAF R Depot, Torquay, United Kingdom]
1945-09-05 — Taken on strength on repatriation from overseas at No. 1 Repatriation Depot. [Lachine, Quebec]
1945-09-13 — Struck off strength of No. 1 Repatriation Depot for No. 3 Release Centre; taken on strength there 14 September, with leave pass reporting date 13 October. [Rockcliffe, Ontario]
1945-09-13 to 1945-10-12 — Thirty days’ disembarkation special leave; address 412 Lewis Street; permitted travel in the United States. Another summary includes 13 October as reporting/end date. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1945-10-13 — Discharge chest X-ray negative, with normal heart shadow. [Rockcliffe, Ontario]
1945-10-15 — Release medical board: no present disability and fit for heavy manual and sedentary work. Civilian counselling recommended seeking employment. [No. 3 Release Centre, Rockcliffe, Ontario]
1945-10-16 — Honourably released as Corporal on demobilization; transferred to RCAF Reserve, General Section, Class E. [No. 3 Release Centre, Rockcliffe, Ontario]
1945-10-30 — RCAF returned original Black Watch discharge certificate and will submitted on enlistment. [412 Lewis Street, Ottawa, Ontario]
1945-11-07 — War Service Gratuity calculated at $808.79; qualifying service 1,703 days, including 1,044 overseas days. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1945-11-28 — Acknowledged receipt of War Service Badge, Service Class, number 682333 and certificate. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1947-01-16 — RCAF forwarded a Reserve Badge and Class E Reserve regulations. [412 Lewis Street, Ottawa, Ontario]
1949-05-14 — Married Vera Muriel Lancaster, according to existing family research. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1961-09-18 — Applied for a replacement statement of service; official statement issued the same day. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1983-05-17 — Applied for a statement of service; address 88 Ontario Street. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1994-07-17 — Died suddenly aged 75. Obituary identifies him as a WW2 veteran and past president of Eastview Legion Branch 462. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1994-07-20 — Funeral service announced for 11 a.m. at St. Laurent Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 1200 Ogilvie Road. [Gloucester, Ontario]