Ft-Lt. G. C. Mackay - 490805

Ft-Lt G. C. Mackay

courtesy of 213 Squadron Association

According to his attestation papers dated May 22, 1916 at Toronto, George Chisholm MacKay of Mimico was born on May 17, 1898 in Sunderland, Ontario.  He listed his mother Evelyn MacKay, 11 Victor Avenue, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a student and an active member (5 months) of the G.G.B.G.  He was 18 years old and stood 5 feet 8 3/4 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion.  He had a scar on his upper left lip, and a mole on his right shoulder.  He was a Presbyterian.

He was assigned to the 213 Squadron.  The squadron was originally with the Royal Navy Air Service but was later made part of the Royal Air Force.

According to newpaper articles he was the son of the Rev. G.J. MacKay of Mimico and became an officer in the Royal Flying Corps where he racked up 18 victories.  In 1918 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.  In late 1918 he was honoured by the King of Belgium.  He returned to Mimico in May 1919 a decorated flying ace. 

The following information is courtesy of the http://www.airforce.ca/:

MacKAY, Captain George Chisholm - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 3 June 1918. Born in Sunderland, Ontario, 17 May 1898; home in Mimico Beach (Toronto) where he was a student. Appointed Probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant, Ottawa, 14 March 1917; to Crystal Palace, 19 April 1917; to Eastbourne, 30 April 1917; to Cranwell, 7 July 1917; to Freiston, 17 September 1917; to Manstone, 29 September 1917; to No.13 (N) Squadron (first operational posting), 22 October 1917 with which he served until 15 September 1918 (wounded); invalided to England, 28 September 1918; to No.5 Group for No.213 Squadron, 29 October 1918; to unemployed list, 20 May 1919. No citation, but reported to have taken part in naval raids on Ostende and Zeebruge, "and has brought down ten German machines."

MacKAY, Captain George Chisholm - Croix de Guerre with Palme (France) - awarded as per London Gazette dated 8 February 1919. No citation other than "for valuable services rendered in connection with the war".


MacKAY, Captain George Chisholm - Chevalier, Order of Leopold (Belgium) - awarded as per London Gazette dated 8 February 1919. Public Record Office Air 1/107/15/9/297 has citation as published in General Order 580, Armee francais de Belgique (date not shown on copy received from London); unit identified as No.213 Squadron:


Commandant d'unité de grand valour, ayant déjà personnellement abattu sept appareils ennemies et coopéré à la destruction de sept autres. Au cours de l'offensive allié dans les Flandres, a conduit avec une rare énérgie et un rare talent, son unité, qui a abattu deux avions ennemis, et un troisième hors de controle.


MacKAY, Captain George Chisholm - Chevalier, Legion of Honour (France) - awarded as per London Gazette dated 8 February 1919.


The following entry appears in the University of Toronto Roll of Service 1914-1918:

Mackay, George Chisholm; Medicine 1924, R. Coll. Dental Surg. 1924.

U. of T. O/S. Tr. Coy., Pte., May 1916; R.N.A.S., Lieut.; France, Sept. 1917; Capt., Aug. 1918; Nieuport-Ypres sec; Wounded Sept. 12, 1918; D.F.C; Belgian Ordre de Leopold; Croix de Guerre avec Palme; Despatches.

He died in his home, 42 Primrose Avenue, Mimico on May 12, 1965 and is buried in Park Lawn Cemetery.