George B. (Sandy) Donaldson - Leading Seaman
George B. (Sandy) Donaldson was born on July 9, 1922 in Kamloops, British Columbia. He grew up and attended school there before enlisting in the RCN in September 1940. Sandy went to Esquimalt, B.C. for his basic training. In December 1940 he went on board a merchant ship and spent 21 days in a convoy to the north of Scotland. He went to Barrow in Furness to pick up HMCS Saguenay which had been torpedoed. A new bow was placed on the ship. Sandy replaced one of the 19 sailors who lost their lives at the time. He served on HMCS Dunvegan, HMCS Ettrick, HMCS Nene, HMCS Saguenay and HMCS Ontario (twice) travelling the world. His last ship was HMCS Sussexvale. After 25 years, he retired in March 1965 at the age of 42. In addition to his Canadian War service medals Sandy also received the Russian medal. He commenced a new career at the Royal Bank and retired again at age 65. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and for the last 27 years been active as a member in the BPOE Elks. Sandy met Jean Malin in Saint John, N.B. while doing convoy duty on HMCS Dunvegan. They were married on November 27, 1943. They have a son Derek and a daughter Debbie who has two children, Joddie and Aric, who followed his grandfather by joining the Sea Cadets.

Updated - July 27, 2004 by George's granddaughter, Joddie (who also joined Sea Cadets)

Sandy now has 3 great grandchildren Kaylyn 6, Keith 3 and Matthew 6mths.