Macaulay Morrison Family
The Past & Present
Angus Macaulay in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Angus was born on February 26, 1906 in Glasgow, Scotland. He was the second child of Neil and Mary Macaulay. Angus was educated at St. Margaret’s School between 1911 and 1920. His father died in 1922 which caused great hardship for the family. The older boys had to leave school to find work to help support their widowed mother. In 1922, Angus enrolled in the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, where he trained as a clock maker and repairer. He began work as an apprentice clock and watch maker with J. S. Cormier. He continued to learn clock and watch making from 1922 until 1924. He then emigrated to Canada with his family.
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By Neil Carey and Donald Peter Macaulay
Early life before World War II
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The family settled first in Red Deer where they learned how to farm on the Alberta prairie. The family moved on to their farm in the Clandonald Settlement in 1926. During the initial establishment of the Colony, Angus was hired as a clerk to help the Scottish Immigrant Aide Society distribute the livestock and farm equipment to the Colony settlers. Angus worked on the family farm until 1935. During this period the family worked very hard to establish the farm and to generate enough money to survive and prosper. Poor soil quality, low prices for grain, lack of equipment and harsh weather all made life very difficult for the Clandonald settlers. Angus and his brothers, Peter and Donald, left the farm and took jobs to improve their financial situation.​​
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Wedding of Angus and Lillian Macaulay (1933) (L to R) Angus Macaulay, Lillian Macaulay, Father Gillis, Mary McGaughey, John Angus Macaulay
The Baptism of Nora Theresa in Clandonald (1937): (L to R) Mary Margaret Macaulay, Angus Macaulay holding Nora, Lillian Georgina Macaulay, Lillian Macaulay
Angus married Lillian McGaughey on November 14, 1933 (see Angus marries Lillian in the Clandonald settlement story). Angus found work as a clock repairer in a store in Clandonald. He worked in Clandonald between 1935 and 1937. In November 1937, Angus moved his family to Edmonton because there was not enough clock repair work in Clandonald. He worked for the N. H. Young Company in Edmonton until April 1938.
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During the Great Depression, jobs were hard to find, but Angus found work as a mucker with the Britannia Mine at Britannia Beach, a mining town on Howe Sound, 55 kilometres north of Vancouver. Mucker was probably not a very nice job by the sounds of the name but Angus needed a job to support his family. He had to move with his family to Porteau (north of Horseshoe Bay) to be close to his new job. They lived in a house rented from the sand and gravel company located there. There was no road on that part of the coast at that time. Access was by boat or daily ferry service from the Union Steamship Co. from Horseshoe Bay. The Macaulay family lived at Porteau for two years while Angus worked for the mine (1938-1940). During part of this time Angus’s sister, Marion Macaulay, lived with the family and helped Lillian with the children.
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Angus Macaulay is the miner standing at the far right in the photo of miners gathered at the entrance to one of the shafts at the Britannia Mine
Life was probably difficult because of the isolated location and water access only. On his attestation paper, Angus states that he had several outstanding debts - $105 to Deeks Sand and Gravel (probably for rent), Woodwards Stores (probably for food and other necessities), and Rob Simpson of Regina. The difficulties presented by the isolation and debts may have led to his decision to move back to Vancouver. Angus moved his family from Porteau to Vancouver to seek a better job. Angus also wanted to be near his brother Donald who had lived in Vancouver for several years. His brother, Peter, who joined the Canadian Army a week before Angus joined the RCAF, also moved his family to Vancouver from Edmonton later in 1940.
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Porteau beach (L to R) Lillian Macaulay holding Nora, Neil Michael Macaulay, Donald Francis Macaulay, Lillian Georgina Macaulay, Mary Margaret Macaulay, with Marion Macaulay in the background
Macaulay children (Lillian, Margaret, Nora) with dog in 1938
Joining the Royal Canadian Air Force
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The family initially lived at 3357 Findlay Street when they moved back to Vancouver. The Second World War had started and there were opportunities for men who would volunteer for service. Angus decided to join the Royal Canadian Air Force to make use of his watchmaking skills. Angus signed his attestation papers in Vancouver on July 3, 1940. Angus notes on his Attestation paper that he would prefer to remain in the Air Force after the war. He must have thought that this would provide a steady income for his family.
Angus Macaulay in Royal Canadian Air Force uniform
Angus was first stationed at the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Recruiting Center in Vancouver. On his Attestation Paper he states that he wished to join the Air Force for ground duties as an instrument maker. He listed Norman McLeod and Harry Bacon of Brittania Mines as references. He also listed Neil McInnes (CPR) of Clandonald and Rev. Fr. A. Gillis as additional references. He was assigned the rank of Acting Corporal (AC2) Instrument Maker. His Air Force identity number was R58397. On his form he stated that he had no flying experience but had done carpentry and house building work. He also stated that he had played the bagpipes in several bands in Scotland and Canada. He stated that his father was Neil Macaulay (deceased) a ferryman from Glasgow. His mother was Mary MacDonald of Maughan, Alberta. Angus listed his children as: Lillian Georgina, born in 1934; Mary Margaret, born in 1935 and Nora Teresa, born in1937. Angus’s son, Neil Michael, was born on November 24, 1940 in Vancouver, while Angus was stationed in Ottawa.
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When he joining the RCAF, Angus stated that he had no previous military experience. He was tested in Vancouver to determine his suitability to be an instrument maker. He passed his tests and then was transferred to Toronto for more training on July 30, 1940. Angus began a series of training sessions and transfers to prepare him for active duty in England. Angus was moved to Ottawa and promoted to Acting Corporal 1 (AC1) in September 1940. After completing his course work and training in Ottawa, Angus was moved to Winnipeg where he continued his course work and training.
Angus Macaulay in winter uniform
After completing his initial training on May 5, 1941, Angus was promoted to Acting Corporal (AC). Angus continued his training sessions during the next several months. He was promoted to temporary Corporal and transferred to Halifax on November 29, 1941. This move was to prepare him for service overseas.
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Before moving to Halifax, Angus was granted special leave from November 12 to November 28, 1941. He travelled to Vancouver to visit with his family, relatives and friends. He also was there for his son’s first birthday.​
Angus and Lillian family photo November 1941: Lillian Georgina Macaulay, Lillian Macaulay, Mary Margaret Macaulay, Nora Teresa Macaulay, Corporal Angus Macaulay holding Neil Michael Macaulay
RCAF Service in Britain
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On Dec. 12, 1941 Angus was transferred to the Royal Air Force (RAF) Depot Halifax and sent by ship to England. In England, he was transferred to the RAF #3 Personnel Reception Centre (PRC) in Bournemouth, on the southern coast of England. Thousands of Commonwealth aircrews, after training in Canada, were housed there in scores of requisitioned hotels and luxury flats. Angus was there for processing and assignment to a specific unit.
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On January 13, 1942, records indicate that Angus was assigned to #407 Squadron, RCAF, which was based at Royal Air Force North Coates. This RAF air base was located in Lincolnshire, England, close to the mouth of the Humber estuary. The #407 Squadron served with the RAF Coastal Command and was stationed at North Coates from July 9, 1941 to February 17, 1942. In February 1942 the squadron was one of three Hudson bomber groups that attacked the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Prinz Eugen. The three German ships were trying to move through the English Channel to the north where they would be further away from RAF attacks. This action became known as the Channel Dash. This dash went from the port of Brest, France to the North Sea. The # 59 and #407 Squadrons made their attacks on the German ships on February 12, 1942. The German ships evaded their attackers and were able to escape north to safety. The British lost two aircraft during the attacks. The squadron moved from North Coates to the RAF airbase at Thorney Island on February 17, 1942 and was based there until March 31, 1942, when they relocated to RAF Bircham Newton, located east of Docking, Norfolk. [Note: Military History on website No. 407 Squadron (RCAF): Second World War]
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During this time, the #407 Squadron operated as a “strike” squadron attacking enemy shipping with the Lockheed Hudson fighter bomber. It was a strike squadron that won its reputation and its nickname “The Demon Squadron”. During 1942 the squadron suffered the loss of many aircraft in its operations against the Germans. Angus was part of the ground crew that repaired and maintained the Hudson aircraft and kept them ready to respond to any action against the enemy. Family members recalled Angus telling them that a few times when damaged plane returned to the base, they sometimes had a “hard” landing. When that happened, all available ground crew members rushed to the crash site to assist the crew.
During his RCAF career, Angus took a number of training courses. Before going overseas, Angus was enrolled in four Instrument Maker courses in Canada and obtained a final grade of 83% and was certified as a Class “A” Instrument Maker. Later, from February 1 – 19, 1943, he took a course at the RAF School of Instrument Training at RAF Melksham, a non-flying base located in Wiltshire, 3 kms south of Melksham. He completed the course with a final grade of 76.5% and became an Instrument Mechanic, Class “A”. He left the #407 Squadron from May 25 to April 20, 1943 to attend another course. These continuous educational achievements during the war reflect Angus’s approach to life: “to get better”.
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Angus was stationed at a number of air bases throughout England, either with #407 Squadron RCAF or with other air force units. On February 2, 1942, he was transferred to #3 Wing and then to #61 Squadron RAF on April 12, 1942. Angus was back with #407 Squadron RCAF in early 1943 and left that unit on August 1, 1943 when he was transferred to #8407 SE where he stayed until 1944.
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For his final posting, Angus was stationed, from January 1 to April 4, 1944, at Limavady, a RAF satellite station near the city of Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It was part of the RAF Coastal Command and was important in the fight against U-boats in the Atlantic Ocean. Angus was posted back to Canada in December 1944. He arrived in Canada and was stationed at RCAF Station Lachine from December 22 – 30, 1944. He was transferred to the #8 Release Centre in Vancouver from December 31, 1944 to February 2, 1945. He was then discharged from the Air Force in Vancouver.
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RCAF leave in Britain
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Angus received periods of leave during his service in England. He made several trips while on leave including to Scotland where he visited in Glasgow and South Uist. We have photos from his visit to Uist with his brother Peter.
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Angus and Peter with relatives in Uist
Angus Macaulay with cousins in South Uist
Angus sent post cards home to each of his children to record his travels during the war. Margaret Dureau (Angus’ daughter) kept her postcards as well as a letter she sent to her dad. The brief notes on these postcards provide a snapshot of where and when he visited certain places and family members.​
November 27, 1941 Dear Mary Margaret: This is another picture of the Rockies, but I am far away from there now, in ONTARIO. LOVE, DADDY
On several of his leaves, Angus stayed in London. He was able to meet his brothers, Peter and Neil on these leaves.
November, 1942: Dear M. Margaret, I have just been to LONDON and met with Uncle Peter there. We had a very nice time. Love and kisses, DADDY.
September, 1942: Angus and Neil meeting near London
November, 1942: This is the Canadian Serviceman’s Hotel that Neilie and I stayed at in London last September.
Angus’ daughter, Mary Margaret, wrote a letter to her father in 1943. She also received a post card from her dad that reminded him of his old home in Uist.
January 26, 1942: Letter from Margaret to her dad
March 14, 1943: My Dear Margaret: This picture is very like many places in Uist where all my relations are. Love Daddy
Angus sent a postcard and photo of Lillian’s granny from his time in Ireland.
September, 1943: Dear Mary Margaret: The donkey is cute. Uncle Charlie had a nice one he called Poly. It is dark brown and has a little cart for it too. I guess you would like to ride it and will be a good rider now. Loads of love, Daddy X.
September, 1943: Granny at the back of the house by the donkey cart. Note: This is a photo of Lillian’s grandmother who lived to 104.
In the summer of 1942 Angus was loaned to the RAF Coastal Command based in St. Eval RAF airbase on the Cornwall coast. This may have been when he was near Land’s End.
November 1943: Dear Margaret: John-o-Groats is right at the top of Scotland, and I have been there to near Lands End at the bottom of England. Love, Daddy XXX
The Homefront in Vancouver
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As Angus served in the RCAF and was travelling all over Britain and Ireland, Lillian and her children were also on the move. They initially lived at 3357 Findlay Street in East Vancouver near Trout Lake, from 1940 until the summer of 1942. They then moved 5 blocks north to a basement suite at 1677 East 12th Avenue. Both of Lillian’s rental homes were approximately 20 blocks from Katie Macaulay’s family (4414 Windsor Street) and Peggy Macaulay’s family (747 East 24 Avenue).
Katie and Donald were the first Macaulay family to settle in Vancouver and Katie’s sister Peggy moved just 4 blocks north when she arrived from Edmonton. Katie’s brother, Donald Morrison also settled his family on Windsor Street. In the winter of 1943 Lillian again moved her family to 1824 Pandora Street a few blocks from the Vancouver waterfront. There she shared a two-apartment building with the family of her brother, Joseph McGaughey, who was still in the Canadian Army. Her brother, Mickey McGaughey, was also living in Vancouver and was working in a shipyard in North Vancouver, probably building ships for the war effort.
Katie Macaulay’s family lived at 4414 Windsor St; Peggy Macaulay’s family lived at 747 E. 24th Ave; Lillian Macaulay’s family lived at 3357 Findlay St, 1677 12th Ave, and finally, 1824 Pandora St.
One of Peggy’s daughters, Mary Baxter, recalls visiting Donald Morrison’s family on Windsor Street. Her family didn’t have a car so they always travelled by bus or walked. They also took the tram to Richmond or New Westminster. Every weekend family came to visit or her family travelled to be with their relatives.
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When Angus was transferred to the #8 Release Centre in Vancouver on December 31, 1944, he was able to rejoin his family at their Pandora Street home. At that time Nora Lowe had not seen her father since his special leave in November, 1941. Although he wrote to his children while he was with the RCAF, Angus returned as a stranger to his children. His return coincided with Angus being notified of the death of his brother in Italy. Nora remembers her father walking in circles in their backyard holding a piece of paper and yelling, swearing and crying at the news.
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One interesting family story is that Angus got a surprise when he got home. He found that Lillian had “sort of” renamed two of their children. The reason for the change was to make it easier to identify family members with the same first names. The highland Scottish tradition was to name children after other members of the family: fathers, mothers, grandparents, uncles and aunts. This resulted in many children with the same first name. Mary Margaret Macaulay had four “Mary” cousins: Mary Rhoda Macaulay (Stefan), Mary Theresa Macaulay (Baxter), Mary Catherine Carey (Dickie), and Mary Theresa McPhee. Similarly, Neil Michael Macaulay had four “Neil” cousins: Neil Joseph Macaulay, (Father) Neil John Macaulay, Neil John Carey, and Neil Peter Macaulay. Lillian decided that two of her children would be called by their middle names. Mary Margaret became Margaret and Neil Michael became Michael. When Angus returned from his wartime service with the Air Force he simply accepted the changes.
Angus and Lillian Macaulay House and barn at 436 Byrne Road Burnaby
After he left the RCAF, Angus applied for assistance under the Veteran’s Land Act to purchase a house and land. He and Lillian looked at properties throughout the Vancouver lower mainland. They accepted an offer of a few acres of land, a house and barn at 436 Byrne Road in Burnaby. Angus encouraged his sister-in-law, Peggy, to move her family to a house across the street from his new home on Byrne Road. Cousins Nora and Mary were in the same school for three years.