Harold Morris Macleod was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on 25 September, 1022 and gained his education there.  In 1942, he joined the RCAF, completed Manning Depot and then gained his pilot’s wings at 20 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) in Oshawa and 16 Service Flying Training School, Hagersville.  Next came a course in Navigation at Summerside, PEI followed by a transfer to England in Stirling aircraft.  He served with 620 Squadron until shot down on 21 September 1944 during the airborne invasion of Holland.  He spent the balance of the war in Stalag Luft 1 in Barth, Germany.  Post war he was awarded the Netherlands Bronze Star in recognition of his participation in the liberation of that country.

Following the war, he served with 435 Squadron in Edmonton, then as the Resident Staff Officer at Queens University, Kingston.  In December 1952, “Hal” returned to flying duties on Lancaster aircraft with 405 Maritime Patrol Squadron operating out of Greenwood, Nova Scotia.  In 1955, he converted onto the new anti-submarine aircraft, the P2V Neptune and he and his crew delivered the first of these new aircraft to Greenwood from Burbank, California.  He next served at Maritime Command HQ in Halifax as Staff Officer Tactics.

Following Staff College in Toronto, he served at Air Force HQ in Ottawa until 1961 when he began a tour of duty at the Canadian Joint Staff in London as the personnel officer.  Four years later, he returned to Greenwood and converted onto the Argus aircraft and once again began anti-submarine patrol duties with 405 Squadron where he completed his military service on September 25, 1969 in the rank of Major. 

Following retirement, he attended Acadia University and earned a BA and BEd in 1972 and was also awarded the Birks Gold Medal in Education.  He then taught at Cornwallis District High School for 12 years before retiring once again.

Of particular note, Hal served for many years as assistant editor of Maritime Patrol Aviation magazine to which he contributed many fine articles on Maritime Patrol aircraft of many nations.

In war and peace, Major “Hal” Macleod was a credit to his service and to his country.