Douglas McGregor (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Captain Douglas Urquhart McGregor was a Canadian World War I flying ace
credited with 12 official aerial victories.
and played on their Redmen football team during the early years of World War I.
in 1916. He sailed from Halifax
, Nova Scotia for England aboard the Corsican on 25 September 1916. He was commissioned as a temporary probational second lieutenant
on 6 October 1916. On 7 December 1916, in a mistaken attempt to correct his name, the London Gazette changed his middle name to "Urchart".
After being trained, McGregor joined 23 Squadron at Baisieux
on 20 April 1917 as a Spad VII pilot. He survived Bloody April
to begin his streak of aerial successes on 13 May 1917. On that day, he teamed with Conn Standish O'Grady
to set a German Albatros D.III
aflame in midair. He would not score again until 6 July, when he teamed with William Kennedy-Cochran-Patrick and another pilot to set a German reconnaissance two-seater on fire. The following day, he again teamed with William Kennedy-Cochran-Patrick to set another German recon machine afire over Houthoulst Forest; five minutes later, he burned another one on this own. On 13 and 15 July, he would send down enemy planes out of control.
August saw him score another out-of-control win on the 7th, then flame one German on the 16th and destroy another. On 19 August 1917, he was appointed Flight Commander with concomitant rank of captain. A week later, he led his flight by scoring twice more. Exactly a month later, on 26 September 1917, he ended his tally by destroying an Albatros D.V
. His final total was two enemy planes set afire, two other enemy planes flamed in concert with other pilots, three enemy planes destroyed, a victory for sharing in destroying another German plane, and four enemy planes driven down out of control.
26 September 1917 also saw him awarded the Military Cross in the name of Douglas Urchart McGregor. The accompanying award citation gives insight into McGregor's exploits: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading patrols against hostile formations. He has attacked and driven down enemy aircraft on several occasions, in spite of their being in superior numbers, displaying in every instance splendid dash and determination to get to close range.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with 12 official aerial victories.
Early life
Douglas Urquhart McGregor was the son of Doctor John O. McGregor. The younger McGregor attended McGill UniversityMcGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
and played on their Redmen football team during the early years of World War I.
World War I
McGregor joined the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in 1916. He sailed from Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, Nova Scotia for England aboard the Corsican on 25 September 1916. He was commissioned as a temporary probational second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
on 6 October 1916. On 7 December 1916, in a mistaken attempt to correct his name, the London Gazette changed his middle name to "Urchart".
After being trained, McGregor joined 23 Squadron at Baisieux
Baisieux
Baisieux is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It is part of the Urban Community of Lille Métropole.-Heraldry:-References:*...
on 20 April 1917 as a Spad VII pilot. He survived Bloody April
Bloody April
During the First World War, the month of April 1917 was known as Bloody April by the Royal Flying Corps . The RFC suffered particularly severe losses — about three times as many as the Imperial German Army Air Service over the same period — but continued its primary role in support of the ground...
to begin his streak of aerial successes on 13 May 1917. On that day, he teamed with Conn Standish O'Grady
Conn Standish O'Grady
-World War I:O'Grady served in 23 Squadron as a Spad pilot. He scored his first aerial victory on 30 April 1917, and accumulated nine wins by the end of August. He was transferred off combat duty to Home Establishment in September 1917. He won a Military Cross for his deeds circa 1 October 1917; it...
to set a German Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
aflame in midair. He would not score again until 6 July, when he teamed with William Kennedy-Cochran-Patrick and another pilot to set a German reconnaissance two-seater on fire. The following day, he again teamed with William Kennedy-Cochran-Patrick to set another German recon machine afire over Houthoulst Forest; five minutes later, he burned another one on this own. On 13 and 15 July, he would send down enemy planes out of control.
August saw him score another out-of-control win on the 7th, then flame one German on the 16th and destroy another. On 19 August 1917, he was appointed Flight Commander with concomitant rank of captain. A week later, he led his flight by scoring twice more. Exactly a month later, on 26 September 1917, he ended his tally by destroying an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
. His final total was two enemy planes set afire, two other enemy planes flamed in concert with other pilots, three enemy planes destroyed, a victory for sharing in destroying another German plane, and four enemy planes driven down out of control.
26 September 1917 also saw him awarded the Military Cross in the name of Douglas Urchart McGregor. The accompanying award citation gives insight into McGregor's exploits: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading patrols against hostile formations. He has attacked and driven down enemy aircraft on several occasions, in spite of their being in superior numbers, displaying in every instance splendid dash and determination to get to close range.