Born 2/05/1921 in Turnerville, Kent Co., ON.,the son of Mr. and Mrs. Finlay Cushman of 91 Inches Ave., Chatham, ON. Husband of Kathleen (Smith) of 51 Pine St., Chatham. Donald attended Chatham Vocational School, VR42/43. He married Catherine Smith of Chatham, ON. on 5 February, 1944.  Ross and Catherine had three children.

At the age of 24, a Cadet on the Chatham Police Force he was granted a leave of absence in July of 1942 and enlisted 12/10/42 with the RCAF.  Training at first in Toronto at the RCAF Manning Centre then to Windsor, ON. and Souris, Manitoba.  AC2 Cushman was reported in the CDN 31/12/42 as being home on a furlough and was returning to Lachine, PQ. to continue his training.

F/O Cushman would make three trips to bomb Hamburg as well as ‘Ops.’ to Leipzig, Dresden, Kiel and Wageroose. His plane was badly shot up over Hagen in the Ruhr Valley of Germany, the plane returned “riddled with flak”. Donald and his crew were the first group of RCAF to return to Canada with their Lancaster, flying from England to Yarmouth, NS. the trip taking 17 flying hours a stop-over was required due to heavy fog on the Canadian east coast. The crew had volunteered for service in the Pacific but was not required with the surrender of Japan.

Ross was discharged from the RCAF in September 11,1945. Between 15/09/1945 and his retirement in 1985, he served with the Chatham Police Force. He was later the Chief of Police in Wallaceburg and Sheriff of Kent County.

AC2 Cushman was reported in the CDN 31/12/42 as being home on a furlough and  was returning to Lachine, PQ. to continue his training.

He received his wings in January of 1944 in Ottawa at RCAF-Uplands S.F.S. He had a two week furlough before he leaves for Three Rivers, PQ. to resume his training, CDN  before going overseas in March 1944.  He would not return June 1945.

Sgt. Pilot Ross sent an Easter message to his family in Canada. CDN 12/04/44.

Ross and Catherine had three children Craig, Kerry, Shawn.

Donald passed away 2/04/1993 at the age of 71 years.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

CDN 14/09/45, CFF-FD, St.AUC-RH, VR-42/43, LM-LP, Kerry (Cushman) Anderson - daughter.

Birthplace	Turnerville, Ontario
Religion	United Church
Marital Status	Married
When Enlisted	October 12th, 1942
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Catherine Cushman

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