The McNairs were brothers from a Scottish farming family. Donald McNair (known as Dan) had moved down from Scotland in 1926 and he had seven children. His eldest son Jim was in the Fingringhoe Patrol, his second son Matthew commanded the Ramsey Patrol. His three younger sons Don, John and Alec were in the Mistley Patrol. Alec went on from the Auxiliary Units to the SAS.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mistley Patrol | Patrol member | Unknown | Unknown |
| Operation Bulbasket | SAS combatant | 12 Jun 1944 | 08 Aug 1944 |
| Operation Bulbasket | SAS combatant | 12 Jun 1944 | 08 Aug 1944 |
| Operations Archway & Howard | SAS combatant | 16 Mar 1945 | 08 May 1945 |
| Operations Archway & Howard | SAS combatant | 16 Mar 1945 | 08 May 1945 |
Head Cowman
Although officially enlisted in the Royal Artillery in early 1942, it appears his call up was deferred due to being an Auxilier. On 2 Jul 1942 he was transferred on paper to the General Service Corps, but likely did not start his military training until Apr 1943. On 26 May 1943 he was allocated to the Field Artillery.
He was probably recruited to the SAS in Jan 1944 alongside many other Auxiliary Units men. When they were disbanded he return to the Artillery on 6 Nov 1945. He was finally discharged from the Army in 8 Jan 1946.
McNair family
Jane Lennox
Royal Artillery enlistment books and tracer cards