Donald Vail was born in Watford, Ontario on January 6, 1907, the son of Charles Wesley Vail (born in Delaware, Ontario) and Winnifred Lavina (nee Jones) Vail, of 532 Devine Street, Sarnia. Donald had three brothers: Cecil Victor (born 1890); Wilfred Barrie (born 1899); and Allan Douglas (born 1908). Donald attended University of Western Ontario and was later the principal of the public school at Wyoming, Ontario for five years, prior to moving to Sarnia. While at the University of Western, he played hockey, as well as with the Strathroy team, and baseball in Sarnia. Donald’s father, Charles, a former C.N.R. agent, passed away in December of 1935. Donald married Vera Doreen Miller of Watford, Ontario and the couple were blessed with two daughters, Patsy and Nancy, and a son, Paul. In the latter part of 1938, Donald joined the London Life Insurance Company, in Sarnia, where he was an industrial representative salesman.
It was at this time that Donald enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (one year prior to his death). Donald attained the rank of Corporal, a member of the RCAF #15 Operational Training Unit, in a Wellington aircraft, becoming a radio technician/air frame mechanic. On July 9, 1942, the pilot of the Wellington aircraft that he was aboard overshot the landing and attempted a take-off to go around again. The aircraft failed to gain sufficient height and stalled when the pilot tried to turn away from some trees. The Wellington aircraft crashed in a field adjacent to the aerodrome at Harwell, England. Perishing with Corporal Donald Vail were LAC. G.S. Miller and three RAF airmen. Just days after the crash, his wife Vera in Watford would receive the cablegram informing her that her husband Donald Vail was listed as, Killed during air operations, overseas. Upon his death, Donald Vail left behind his wife Vera Doreen Vail and their two daughters, Patsy (age 8), Nancy (age 6), and son Paul (age 3) in Watford.
Thirty-five year old Donald Vail is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 32.G.4. On Donald Vail’s headstone are inscribed the words, He is not dead while his memory lives in the hearts of those who loved him.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, M, N, 2C, 2D