One of four brothers, three of whom would serve as fighter pilots with the RAF and gain the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

Educated in England at the King's School, Rochester[1] and Christ's Hospital,[2] he then studied at McGill University in Canada.

[2] For his leadership of the squadron during the battle and his personal tally of eleven kills, plus ten probable destructions, Donaldson was awarded the DSO.

As liaison to the US Army Air Force, his booklet was replicated over 7,500 times, and helped teach USAAF gunnery instructors.

[1][3] On his return to England in 1944, he converted to jet aircraft and commanded the first operational Gloster Meteor squadron, at RAF Colerne.

Donaldson, now a group captain, was selected to command the Air Speed Flight, established at the start of 1946.

[6] During the early 1950s, Donaldson served in West Germany and commanded RAF Fassberg and RAF Wunstorf airfields, gaining appointment to Commander of the Order of the British Empire in June 1953, and advancement to air commodore in July 1955 after attending the Joint Services Staff College.

[1] Donaldson's "Star" Meteor is on display at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, together with that of later 1953 record holder, Squadron Leader Neville Duke, who flew a Hawker Hunter at 727 miles per hour (1,170 km/h).