The operational life of F/O. Donald J. Saunders lasted a mere four days.
On Monday, 2nd September, 1940, No 54 Squadron was withdrawn from Hornchurch to the Yorkshire base of Catterick for rest and remustering.
On 7th September, 21 year-old Donald was posted to 54 Squadron as a replacement, fresh from his Operational Training Unit. At 12:05 hrs the same day, he crashed and was killed instantly at Catterick during a low altitude training practice flight in Spitfire P9560.
He is buried in Catterick Cemetery.