Born 16/06/1925 at Chatham, ON. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred William Hoskins (a veteran of WWI 1st Bn. CEF) and Violet Jasmin (Hoskins); of Queen St. South and also lived on Baxter Street, Chatham.The eldest of  four boys Jack, James and David of Queen St., Chatham, ON. Educated at Queen Mary Public School and Chatham Vocational School. A member of Christ Church Chatham, where he sang in the choir, (a stained glass window was donated by his family to the church in his memory).

Prior to enlisting in the RCAF Don was a Sgt. in the 2^nd Kent Regiment.

Donald enlisted 20/08/1943 at Chatham, ON. to the RCAF.   The CDN 25/09/43 reported that AC2 RCAF was home spending a week-end leave at his parents in Chatham.  The CDN 18/10/43 reported AC2 Hoskins had been posted to Kingston where he assumed his new duties. 

The CDN 15/12/43 reported that AC2 of Mont Joli, PQ. had been on furlough in Chatham with his parents on Baxter St., Chatham. The CDN 31/12/43 reported that AC2 Hoskins arrived from Mont Joli, PQ. to spend New Year’s with his parents. 

Donald trained at Trenton, Queen’s University, Kingston  AC2 Donald was at home on Baxter St. in Chatham for a few day before returning to  Mont Joli. The CDN 12/04/44 reported that Don had been home on a few days furlough before returning to Valleyfield, PQ.   It was from Mont Joli, where he received his wings and at Valley Field in PQ., before going overseas in April of 1944 joining # 153 Squadron (Noctividus).   The CDN 22/06/44 reported that Don was serving overseas, though Don had been in England since April of 1944.   

In England he joining # 153 Squadron (Noctividus). His seventh Operational target was Nuremburg, Germany. At approximately 23:15hrs., two Lancaster aircraft were preparing to land when they collided in mid-air and crashed near Nettleham, Lincolnshire, England. Flt. Sgt. Hoskins was the rear gunner in aircraft # PB515 and died with all of the other crew members. Also killed on this aircraft was Sgt. Arthur J. Eberle R201129 of Ridgetown, ON.[ Sgt. Eberle was also buries at Harrogate on the same date, 

Age: 19, KIA – Date of Death: 02/01/1945, Age: 19 years, in Lancaster bomber # PB 515, on air operations over England. No crew survived.

The CDN 15/01/45 reported that he was buried in the RCAF cemetery at Harrogate Yorkshire, England at 10#0 8 January 45.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. H. Row E. Grave 1.

Cemetery: HARROGATE (STONEFALL) CEMETERY.

In a peaceful and in the airman’s grave,

Among his buddies, at rest with the brave

Though his voice is still, his smile remains

As he sleeps forever, in a Heroes grave.

Family in Memoriam CDN 10/11/2012.  

Royal Canadian Air Force, Unit: 153 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.

Family in Memoriam CDN 10/11/2012. 

Curators Note: Donald has been remembered by his family with tributes published in the CDN on 11 November 2008, 2010, 2011, and 10/11/2012.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

Christ Church Chatham – Roll of Honour., They Shall Not Grow Old, CDN (22-06-1944), CDN (06-01-1945), CDN (15-01-1945), CDN (22-06-1945), CFF-FD44, CCC-RH, TSGNO, IODE

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