Biography

Donald King Hastings was born in 1919 in Wingham, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Elmer Hastings and Isabella Powell.

Before serving in the war, Donald was a teller and accountant at Royal Bank of Canada, single, and resided in Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario. He attended 5 yrs. of high school, then Queen's University (A.C.B.A. ), and spoke French and English. Donald was described as 6' 1" tall, with fair complexion, blue grey eyes and dark hair. His faith was United Church. He had lived away from home for six years and worked 2 summers at a farm. Donald was active in sports.

Military Service

Lt. Donald Hastings was killed in action during World War II.

Lt. Donald Hastings served in the Canadian Army in World War II
Service started: 04 Mar 1941
Unit(s): Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, Royal Hampshire Regiment
Service ended: 11 Jul 1944

Donald reported Nov. 19, 1941 North Bay, Ontario. Date of enlistment: 4-3-41. To begin with Donald was given the rank of Private and assigned to Unit C.A. (R) .T.C.#22, North Bay Ontario. Later: No 2 DD RCASC Paywing and Infantry R A-34 SOTC are mentioned. He was a Canadian officer on loan to the British Army.

Military File:^[1]

Canadian Virtual War Memorial: Donald Hastings was a member of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, he died while serving with the Royal Hampshire Regiment as a CANLOAN Officer. He is commemorated on Page 330 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.^[2]

He passed away in 1944; killed in action in France during World War II.^[3] Donald was mentioned on a memorial in Hottot-les-Bagues War Cemetery, Hottot-les-Bagues, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France with a death date of 11 July 1944.^[4]

Medals

• 1939-45 Star
• France-Germany Star
• War medal, CVSM & Clasp.

Sources

1. ↑ "Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947," database with images, Entry for Donald King Hastings; Date of Birth: 1919-07-26, Date of Death: 1944-07-11, Rank: Lieutenant, Unit: Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, Force: Army, Service Number: CDN151, Reference: R112,Volume: 30824, Item Number: 41603. Library and Archives Canada, Military Heritage, Second World War: 1939-1945 (http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=kia&id=41603&lang=eng : accessed 2023-02-10).
2. ↑ Memorial: "Canadian Virtual War Memorial," Entry for: Donald King Hastings, 11 Jul 1944, Service Number: CDN/151, Force: Army, Unit: Royal Hampshire Regiment, Division: 1st. Commemorated on Page 330 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Hottot-Les-Bagues War Cemetery, Calvados, France, Grave Reference: I. A. 10. (https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2338868?Donald%20King%20Hastings : accessed 2023-02-10).
3. ↑ Death: "Canada, Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947"
   citing World War Ii, France, item 1 cn 706070, Registrar General. Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,870,463.
   FamilySearch Record: JFDQ-9QV (accessed 10 February 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HY-DTJS-78D
   Donald King Hastings death 11 Jul 1944 (age 24) in World War Ii, France.
4. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #56500500 (accessed 11 July 2023)
   Memorial page for Lieut Donald King Hastings (unknown-11 Jul 1944), citing Hottot-les-Bagues War Cemetery, Hottot-les-Bagues, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France (plot: I. A. 10.); Maintained by Operation:PictureMe (contributor 47833248).