INNISFAIL – While 2018 marks a century since the end of the Great War, Canadians recently had a moment to remember the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers during the second global conflict.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited Canada in October to thank Canadians for liberating Holland in the spring of 1945.
John Lightbody MacDougall was one of them.
MacDougall participated in the liberation of Holland as a radar operator and a locating battery of the Heavy Anti Aircraft (HAA) Artillery.
Born on June 4, 1912 in Ayrshire, Scotland, MacDougall originally joined the Toronto Scottish Regiment, a reserve army unit, in 1936 and served with them until 1937. In 1942 he enrolled in the 48th Highlanders of Canada. He went overseas with them and returned with the regiment in November 1945.
When MacDougall left to serve in the war he was married to Mabel Fedosoff. They wed in 1936 and together had five children.
While training in England between 1940 and1942 MacDougall was injured and spent considerable time in hospital and convalescence. As a result of his injury, he was reassigned to the artillery and underwent special training as a radar operator.
MacDougall belonged to the No. 1 Canadian Radio Location Unit and Radar Battery. He was listed on the nominal role for the unit as of Dec. 3, 1942. He remained a gunner in the artillery for the duration of the war.
One of his sons, J.R. Digger MacDougall, Maj. (Ret'd) from the Canadian Army and president of the Ottawa branch of the Royal Military Colleges Club of Canada, proudly recalled his father’s service in the Canadian Army.
“Dad was 30 years of age when he joined the regular army to serve in the war. He left behind a wife and his children and went overseas for three and a half years. He didn't have to join, he volunteered like every male in his family,” said Digger, noting his father’s three brothers who also served and survived the war.
He noted his father’s service documents, detailing his landing in Normandy in September of 1944, three months after D-Day. His unit supported the troops marching through France into Holland and across the border into Germany.
As the war ended in the summer of 1945, John Lightbody MacDougall wrote his last letter from Holland before returning to Canada.
The letter, dated Aug. 25, 1945, expressed his love for his wife and family and his building joy of soon going home.
“A few lines to let you know I am well and hope this finds both you and the kids in the best of health,” said MacDougall.
“Well sweet, this is just a note to let you know not to write from now on as I leave for England on the 3rd September and will be sailing for home by the middle of September.
“Now that it is near the time to go home, I’m as happy as hell.”
Digger was eight years old when his father returned from the war and 10 years old when he died in 1948.
He remembers the day his father and the Canadian troops returned home in 1945.
“As I recall, our entire family was lined up on University Avenue in Toronto along with hundreds if not thousands of others to welcome home the returning troops,” said Digger.
“The pipe band of the 48th Highlanders led the regiment up University Avenue from Union Station,” he added. “We all went in to the Armouries for a big celebration party.”
Remembrance Day remains an important day to honour his father’s memory and sacrifice during the Second World War.
“I vividly recall the Remembrance Day service that we attended in 1948, eight months after my dad died. We went by streetcar from our Toronto home to new Toronto for that service. Mom carried dad's medals,” said Digger.
“One thing that was very important for us as a family was to participate in Remembrance Day services. We always joined our neighbours and other families at the town cenotaph in New Toronto, and the parade that followed, every Remembrance Day.”
Digger's father passed away March 18, 1948 from leukemia and is buried at the Roselawn Cemetery in Toronto.
The elder MacDougall's service in the war and love for his family will always be cherished. And of course they have the letter from Holland that reminds them of the love he had for them.
“Well sweet, this is so until I see you. Cheerio and God Bless, all my love and oceans of kisses. Forever yours, Mac xxxxx”
Kristine Jean is the granddaughter of John Lightbody MacDougall
