Local war hero's dying wish finally granted

A Queensland war hero's dying wish has finally been granted after his World War II medals were flown 14,000km to his home town.

Donald Aberdeen, centre, during World War II, operated with the 5th United States Air Force, 531 Squadron. Before his passing on December 5, 2018, he asked his son Geoffrey to donate his war medals to the Marybough and Colonial Museum.

A QUEENSLAND war hero's dying wish was granted last week when his World War II medals were brought home to Maryborough.

More than seven decades after he left the Heritage City, where a street is named after his family, the medals of Donald Stewart McKay Aberdeen were flown 14,000kms from Canada with his son Geoffrey.

As a young man, Donald lived in Maryborough with his father Thomas, who at the time, was the city's engineer.

Donald volunteered for the air force and after receiving his pilot's licence, represented Australia operating with the 5th United States Air Force, 531 Squadron.

On his discharge on April 24, 1947, Donald was ranked as Warrant Officer.

Enid Aberdeen with her late husband Ronald.

After marrying Enid and the birth of his son Geoffrey, Donald immigrated to Canada where he worked as a farmer.

His last wish before he passed on December 5, 2018 in Kingston, Ontario, was for Geoffrey to donate his World War II RAAF medals to the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum.

Geoffrey contacted the museum director John Meyers and arranged for the handover.

Mr Meyers yesterday told the Chronicle the museum was honoured to receive the medals, especially because of the family's strong connection with the district.

"Geoffrey Aberdeen's grandfather (Thomas Aberdeen) was the city engineer in Maryborough during World War I and World War II," Mr Meyers said.

"One of the streets here in Maryborough is named after him, Aberdeen Ave, up near the hospital.

Maryborough and Colonial Museum director John Meyers with Geoffrey Aberdeen who gave his father's war medals to the museum last Saturday.

In his letter to Mr Meyers, Geoffrey Aberdeen said his father was principally a navigator/wireless operator on B-24 campaigns throughout the Pacific.

"He saw action over the Philippines, Formosa, China and Japan, as well as bombing a Japanese convoy," he wrote.

"He flew approximately 130 missions, once returning with a hole in his right wing and in another instance, damage to his landing gear."

The five medals include 1939-1945 Star, the Pacific Star, the 1939-1945 War Medal, the Australian Service Medal and the Philippines Liberation Medal.