A Macdonald Father & Son Group; 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Rifles & 15th Infantry Battalion
A Father & Son Group to Captain William Campbell Macdonald, 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Rifles and Captain Frederick William "Wyld" Macdonald, 15th Infantry Battalion; Father Captain William Campbell Macdonald, 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Rifles: North West Canada Medal (CAPt W.C. MACDONALD Q.O.R.); and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, Victoria (LIEUT. COLONEL W.C. MACDONALD 48th. HIGHLANDERS). Naming is engraved on the NWCM and impressed on the CAFOD, the latter maker marked "SG" (Sebastian Garrard), hallmarked with the British lion, a leopard's head (made in London) and date marked "f" (1901). Court-mounted with two prongs on the reverse, replacement ribbons, plated. Accompanied by a Miniature Pair of Same: North West Canada Medal (silver, 17.5 mm); and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, Victoria (silver, 15 mm x 27.5 mm), un-named as issued, mounted to a ornate suspension bar with swing bar pinback, original ribbons, dark patinas. Accompanied by a Studio Portrait of William Campbell Macdonald in his 48th Highlanders Uniform (black and white, matte finish, wearing his North West Canada Medal and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, under glass in a period wooden frame, 260 mm x 365 mm);and his Sword and Scabbard (sword with a steel blade, magnetic, ornate design on both sides, marked on the ricasso, pebbled grip with seven rows of silver-coloured springy wire in the recesses of the ribbed grip, padded insert placed within the magnetic metal guard, scattered surface rust on the blade, measuring approximately 980 mm in length; scabbard in magnetic metal scabbard with ball finial, two bands with rings, measuring approximately 810 mm in length, also illustrated in the photograph).
Son: Captain Frederick William "Wyld" Macdonald, 15th Infantry Battalion: 1st Set: Military Cross, GRV (CAPT. F.W. MACDONALD); 1914-15 Star (LIEUT. F.W. MACDONALD. 15/CAN:INF:); British War Medal (CAPT. F.W. MAC DONALD.); Victory Medal (CAPT. F.W. MAC DONALD.); and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, George V (Major F.W. MacDONALD M.C. 48th. Highrs). Naming is engraved on the MC and the CAFOD, and officially impressed on the First World War trio. Court-mounted, the swing bar pinback on the reverse having been severed for board mounting, replacement ribbons, plated. Accompanied by a Miniature Group of Same: Military Cross, GRV (silver, 22.7 mm); 1914-15 Star (bronze, 20.3 mm x 25 mm); British War Medal (silver, 17.7 mm); Victory Medal (bronze, 18 mm); and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, George V (silver, 16.2 mm x 28.3 mm), un-named as issued, mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, original ribbons, dark patinas on the silver awards. 2nd Set: 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp; and War Medal 1939-1945. The France and Germany Star is engraved "LT. F.C. MACDONALD R.C.A." on the reverse, the other awards are un-named as issued.
Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, replacement ribbons, plated. Accompanied by a Miniature Group of Same: 1939-1945 Star (bronze, 17.7 mm x 20.5 mm); France and Germany Star (bronze, 17.7 mm x 20.5 mm); Defence Medal (silver, 18.5 mm); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp (silver, 18.3 mm); and War Medal 1939-1945 (silver, 18.5 mm), un-named as issued, mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, original ribbons, dark patina on the CVSM. 3rd Set: Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp; and War Medal 1939-1945. Un-named as issued. Court-mounted with two prongs on the reverse, original ribbons, plated. Accompanied by a Studio Portrait of Frederick Macdonald in his 48th Highlanders Uniform (black and white, matte finish, under glass in a period synthetic frame, 248 mm x 297 mm, easel back); a Group of Forty-Eight Soldiers at Canadian Army Training Centre in Petawawa Photograph (black and white, gloss finish, inscribed "C TRP. D TRNG. BTY. (A-1) C.A.T.C. / PETAWAWA OCT. 5-1942", under glass in a period wooden frame, 203 mm x 258 mm, wire backed); Frederick Macdonald's Commission Document (printed in black ink on linen parchment, naming Gentleman Cadet Frederick Campbell Macdonald to the rank of Temporary Lieutenant in the Canadian Army, effective June 21, 1942, emboss stamped and dated September 1, 1942 at Ottawa, signed by the Deputy Minister of Defence, H. DesLosiers, 320 mm x 400 mm); two Wiro-Bound Booklets (each containing multiple pages, with copies of various letters and telegrams from Frederick Macdonald, addressed to his mother, father and others at home, dated from August 1914 to January 1919, 230 mm x 280 mm each); a Royal Life Saving Society of Canada Medallion (bronze, 25.5 mm); his Second War 48th Highlanders Glengarry Badge (silvered bronze, maker marked "ELLIS. BROS." on the reverse, 54.7 mm x 57.8 mm, intact lugs and pin); his Second War Royal Canadian Artillery Cap (exterior in brownish-green wool, bronze gilt RCA grenade insignia held in place by lugs and pin on the left side, two reinforced ventilation holes with black painted metal eyelets on the right side, leather reinforcing patch stitched in place behind the eyelets on the inside, strip of leather stitched in place around the circumference at the opening, interior lined in black cotton, maker stamped "Dorothea Hats Ltd TORONTO", sized "7 1/8" and dated "1944" in the dome, 250 mm x 280 mm); his Second War Royal Canadian Artillery Tunic (fabricated from an olive green cotton, each shoulder strap with two pips and a brass Royal Canadian Artillery shoulder title, held in place by a small brass button bearing the Royal Canadian Artillery insignia, embroidered "Canada" shoulder flashes on the upper sleeve, the front with four pockets sewn in place, smaller ones on each breast with pleats and larger ones at the waist on both sides, each pocket with a fold over flap with a reinforced button hole and finished with a small brass button bearing the Royal Canadian Artillery insignia, the front with a vertical row of four large brass buttons bearing the Royal Canadian Artillery insignia on the right side, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left side, brass hooks sewn in place on either side at the waist to support a belt that has since been lost to time, cotton strap sewn in place at the neck to hank the tunic on a hook, measuring 420 mm across the shoulders x 830 mm in length overall); his Second War Haversack (fabricated from olive green canvas, with a leather panel stitched in place that entails both sides and the bottom, two reinforced button holes on the fold over weather flap and when connected to the brown plastic sewn in place on the front, guarantees a secure closure, underside of the flap inscribed "MACDONALD" in black ink,.
The inside with two pockets, olive green webbed belt attached at either end with metal loops, 290 mm x 330 mm, extensive wear and fraying of the leather, soiled); his Second War Sam Browne Belt (fabricated from a very durable, high quality smooth-finished brown leather, well-stitched with an intricate pattern incorporated, that folds on the left side around the buckle and continues on to the mid-back, with a tab stitched behind the buckle, the belt size stamped "34" on the underside of the belt near the tab, with the belt itself supporting two D-Rings hanging from the left side, the front connected to a wide adjustable leather shoulder strap on the left side, that, when swung over the left shoulder, connects to the D-Ring at the back, the belt with a post to the left of the buckle, while the right side has five rows of two holes and five central slitted holes and when the belt is fed through the buckle, it is held firmly in position with the two prongs of the buckle and the post wrapping around one of the five slitted holes, measuring 58 mm wide x 1,080 mm in length, with all the accompanying hardware in brass); a Leather Vest (dark brown leather exterior, lined in black wool, without pockets, two bronze gilt with red and green enamelled pips sewn in place on each shoulder, front with a vertical row of four large dark brown plastic buttons sewn in place on the right side, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left side, heavily-stitched, measuring 40 mm across the shoulders x 780 mm in length overall); a Vest with Kilt (vest exterior in green rayon, lined in white rayon, embroidered label sewn in place inscribed "S & W London" (Swears & Wells, Regent St., London) with the company's insignia, front with a vertical row of five brown plastic buttons sewn in place on the right side, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left side, black plastic buttons sewn in place on either side at the front bearing the Swears & Wells maker mark, the vest measuring 260 mm across the shoulders x 320 mm in length, the vest sewn in place to a red, white and green wool patterned pleated kilt along the rear seam, the kilt with two leather straps with metal length adjustment buckles sewn in place on either side at the waist, each of the buckles marked "Superbe", the kilt measuring 290 mm in width x 420 mm in length, the vest lightly soiled); three Royal Military College of Canada Shoulder Flashes (white embroidered type, on a red wool base, white mesh backer, 12 mm x 92 mm each); sixteen Royal Military College of Canada Buttons (brass, maker marked "FIRMIN LONDON" and marked "MADE IN ENGLAND" on their reverses, six small: 18.3 mm each, ten large: 25 mm each, intact loops, exhibiting green oxidation); two Pairs of Royal Military College of Canada Cufflinks (first pair are in silver, maker marked "GAUNT LONDON" on the reverse, engraved with the RMC insignia on the face, 15.5 mm in diameter x 27.2 mm in length including toggle; second pair are in gold-coloured metal, unmarked, raised RMC insignia on the face, 19 mm in diameter x 26.5 mm in length including toggle); a Royal Military College of Canada Beret (black wool exterior, 35 mm x 48 mm white metal Royal Military College of Canada cap badge on the left side, its slider stamped "C.A.O. 66", thick brown leather sweatband, size stamped "60" and "9 1/2" in white ink, the edge of which is trimmed in red, the ends tied together with a red ribbon, interior lined in black rayon, embroidered manufacturer's label inscribed "Vrai Basque / PURE LAINE / IMPERMEABLE / FABRIQUE EN FRANCE" (Real Basque, Pure Wool, Waterproof / Made in France) sewn in place in the dome, 210 mm x 265 mm).
A Royal Military College of Canada Cadet's Pillbox Forage Cap (black wool exterior, 42 mm wide band in fine gold-coloured wire stitched in place around the circumference, trimmed in red piping along the top edge, toorie in gold-coloured rolled wire, black patent leather chin strap, 43 mm wide leather sweatband, the ends tied together with a white ribbon, interior lined in grape-coloured cotton and stamped in black ink "2800" in the dome, 135 mm x 170 mm x 65 mm in height); a Beanie (exterior in blue velvet, cap insignia in silvered bullion wire with maroon felt in the void of the crown, trimmed along the seams in silvered wire, toorie with tassel in silvered bullion wire, interior lined in white cotton, the names of his fourteen classmates inscribed in black ink on the front panel, embroidered manufacturer's label inscribed "The Harold A. Wilson Co Limited, Makers, Toronto" sewn in place in the dome, 120 mm x 180 mm); a Royal Military College of Canada Jacket (fabricated from red wool, with three pockets on the front, one on the left breast with an embroidered Royal Military College of Canada insignia sewn in place, with larger pockets on either side at the waist, front with a vertical row of three small brass buttons bearing the Royal Military College of Canada insignia sewn in place on the right side, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left side, measuring 420 mm across the shoulders x 730 mm in length overall, exhibiting a few pinholes and soiling); a Shoe Horn (metal and leather-covered, marked "MADE IN ENGLAND", with metal suspension ring, 47 mm x 135 mm); two Brushes (small brush with coarse black bristles, marked "BRISTLE & NYLON" on the side and maker marked "KENT / MADE IN ENGLAND / STERISED" on the top of the wooden base, 37 mm x 145 mm x 26 mm; large brush with fine golden bristles, marked "EBONY / GERMANY" on one side, maker marked "Ryrie Bros" on the other side, with a silver Old English "M" (Macdonald) affixed to the top of the wooden base, 53.5 mm x 185 mm x 50 mm); a Belt Buckle (silvered metal, magnetic, 26.5 mm x 34 mm); an unknown Disk (bronze gilt, threaded on the edge, 26.8 mm); and a Campaign Trunk (leather wrapped exterior, heavily-stitched, embossed with the maker stamp in black ink "DREW & Co / 156 & 157 LEADENHALL St / LONDON, E.O." on the front panel, metal latch closure with keyhole lock and marked "SECURE LEVER" just below the maker mark, leather straps stitched in place on either side of the closure, the buckle intact on the right strap while the buckle on the left strap has been lost to time, a large "M" framed by a tilted square in black ink on both the left side and right side panels, thick leather handle held in place by two metal brackets on the lid, the lid affixed to the trunk via two black finished straps, label affixed to the left side of the lid inscribed "7041" twice, interior of both the body of the trunk and the lid lined in a black synthetic material that is padded, seven restraining straps with black finished uppers stitched in place in the body of the trunk, three of which have metal buckles, two straps with black finished uppers stitched in place inside the lid, four metal buffer pads on the bottom, 355 mm x 460 mm x 290 mm in height, rectangular residue in green and circular residue in black on the lid where labels once resided, the exterior exhibiting extensive wear, contact marks and soiling from active use). Better than very fine.
Footnote: Father: William Campbell Macdonald was born on May 31, 1856, the son of Benjamin Macdonald and Dorothy Campbell, who had emigrated from Scotland and settled in Chinguacousy Township, Ontario. His grandfather was Daniel Macdonald, a native of Caithness Shire in Scotland, who had been engaged in business in Edinburgh, where his son Benjamin, Colonel Macdonald’s father, was born. Macdonald enlisted in the Queen’s Own Rifles in March 1878, at the age of 21 and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant three years later, in March 1881. He saw later promotions: to Lieutenant in November 1881 and to Captain in February, 1884. William Campbell Macdonald served as Captain of No. 3 Service Company, 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Rifles during the North West Canada Rebellion of 1885. He was a resident of Toronto, when he was awarded the North West Canada Medal and is on the "List of Members of the Militia Force lately on Active Service in the North-West, in 1885, claiming to be entitled to "Grants of Land" under the provisions of 48-49 Victoria, Chapter 73." He was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment in 1886 and continued to serve in that capacity in the rank of Captain, until transferred to the 48th Highlanders as a Major upon the organization of the regiment in February 1892. Macdonald was gazetted Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 48th Highlanders on June 8th, 1900. He was named Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 16th (Toronto) Infantry Brigade, from the Reserve of Officers, the vice J.I. Davidson, effective February 20, 1908, the announcement appearing in the Canada Gazette of Saturday, April 4, 1908, page 2629. He took an active interest in Militia affairs, particularly in matters pertaining to the encouragement of rifle shooting, and for many years was a regular attendant at the rifle matches of the Ontario and Dominion Rifle Associations. For many years he was a member of the Council and also of the Executive Committee of the Dominion Rifle Association, along with being a member of the Council and Chairman of the Executive and Finance Committees of the Ontario Rifle Association. He was a member of the Bisley Team in 1896 and served as Adjutant of the Team in 1892. Since the organization of the Highlanders, he was Chairman of the Regimental Rifle Committee and Captain of the Rifle Teams. He served on various occasions on the Staff of the District Camps of Instruction at Niagara in the several capacities as Instructor in Musketry. He had been Brigade Major and Chief Staff Officer, and was acting in the latter capacity at the Divisional Camp at Niagara when gazetted to the command of the regiment. Macdonald was vice-president of the [now Royal] Canadian Military Institute and held First Class Royal School of Infantry and Equitation Certificates. During the First World War, he was promoted to Colonel and Brigadier or the 1st Canadian Infantry Training Brigade, Military District No. 2 at Exhibition Camp in Toronto, as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On January 21, 1917, Macdonalddied at the age of 60, when he was crushed to death beneath the wheels of an engine that backed into a crowd of people at Union Station in Toronto, while seeing off a Canadian Army Service Corps draft.
Footnote: Father: William Campbell Macdonald was born on May 31, 1856, the son of Benjamin Macdonald and Dorothy Campbell, who had emigrated from Scotland and settled in Chinguacousy Township, Ontario. His grandfather was Daniel Macdonald, a native of Caithness Shire in Scotland, who had been engaged in business in Edinburgh, where his son Benjamin, Colonel Macdonald’s father, was born. Macdonald enlisted in the Queen’s Own Rifles in March 1878, at the age of 21 and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant three years later, in March 1881. He saw later promotions: to Lieutenant in November 1881 and to Captain in February, 1884. William Campbell Macdonald served as Captain of No. 3 Service Company, 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Rifles during the North West Canada Rebellion of 1885. He was a resident of Toronto, when he was awarded the North West Canada Medal and is on the "List of Members of the Militia Force lately on Active Service in the North-West, in 1885, claiming to be entitled to "Grants of Land" under the provisions of 48-49 Victoria, Chapter 73." He was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment in 1886 and continued to serve in that capacity in the rank of Captain, until transferred to the 48th Highlanders as a Major upon the organization of the regiment in February 1892. Macdonald was gazetted Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 48th Highlanders on June 8th, 1900. He was named Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 16th (Toronto) Infantry Brigade, from the Reserve of Officers, the vice J.I. Davidson, effective February 20, 1908, the announcement appearing in the Canada Gazette of Saturday, April 4, 1908, page 2629. He took an active interest in Militia affairs, particularly in matters pertaining to the encouragement of rifle shooting, and for many years was a regular attendant at the rifle matches of the Ontario and Dominion Rifle Associations. For many years he was a member of the Council and also of the Executive Committee of the Dominion Rifle Association, along with being a member of the Council and Chairman of the Executive and Finance Committees of the Ontario Rifle Association. He was a member of the Bisley Team in 1896 and served as Adjutant of the Team in 1892. Since the organization of the Highlanders, he was Chairman of the Regimental Rifle Committee and Captain of the Rifle Teams. He served on various occasions on the Staff of the District Camps of Instruction at Niagara in the several capacities as Instructor in Musketry. He had been Brigade Major and Chief Staff Officer, and was acting in the latter capacity at the Divisional Camp at Niagara when gazetted to the command of the regiment. Macdonald was vice-president of the [now Royal] Canadian Military Institute and held First Class Royal School of Infantry and Equitation Certificates. During the First World War, he was promoted to Colonel and Brigadier or the 1st Canadian Infantry Training Brigade, Military District No. 2 at Exhibition Camp in Toronto, as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On January 21, 1917, Macdonalddied at the age of 60, when he was crushed to death beneath the wheels of an engine that backed into a crowd of people at Union Station in Toronto, while seeing off a Canadian Army Service Corps draft.
He is buried in Forest Lawn Mausoleum in Toronto. A plaque was erected in his honour by the Officers of the 1st Canadian Infantry Training Brigade at the Cathedral Church of Saint James in Toronto, the plaque inscribed: "IN MEMORY OF COLONEL WILLIAM CAMPBELL MACDONALD / BRIGADIER 1ST INFANTRY TRAINING BRIGADE / CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE / MILITARY DISTRICT NO. 2 / BORN 31ST MAY 1856 / DIED IN PERFORMANCE OF DUTY 21ST JANUARY 1917 / ERECTED BY OFFICERS OF THE BRIGADE". Son: Frederick William "Wyld" Macdonald was born on August 19, 1890 in Toronto, Ontario. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Lieutenant with the 15th Infantry Battalion "48th Highlanders of Canada", on September 20, 1914 at Camp Valcartier, at the age of 24, naming his next-of-kin as his father, Colonel William Campbell Macdonald, stating that he had thirteen years' service with the 48th Highlanders, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Bank Clerk. He was appointed Lieutenant, effective September 22, 1914, his religion Presbyterian. The Battalion was raised in Ontario and Quebec and mobilized at Camp Valcartier, Quebec under the authority of P.C.O. 2067, August 6, 1914. The Battalion sailed October 3, 1914 aboard the S.S. Megantic, with a compliment of 44 officers and 1,109 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Currie. Four months after arriving in England, he entered the French theatre with the 15th Infantry Battalion, arriving in France on February 9, 1915. Lieutenant Macdonald was reported missing on April 30, 1915 and was possibly missing as early as the 22nd, during the Second Battle of Ypres (either during the Battle of Gravenstafel Ridge or the Battle of St. Julien). He was officially listed as a Prisoner of War as of May 13, 1915. He was interred at Bischofswerda in Saxony as of May 17, 1915, the confirming information communicated by the Foreign Office on May 31st and supplied by senior officer Major Byng-Hall, D.S.O. of the 7th Infantry Battalion, through the American Embassy on May 22nd. He was later interred at three other locations in Germany: at Crefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia (now Krefeld), at Strohen Kreis Sulingen, Prussia and at Holzminden, Lower Saxony.
While a Prisoner of War, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, effective April 27, 1916. Captain Macdonald left Germany and arrived in Holland for internment on March 19, 1918. After the ceasing of hostilities, he was repatriated, arriving in Hull, England on December 20, 1918, where a reception was held at Camp Ripon. He was transferred to the CEF in Canada on January 9, 1919 and taken on strength at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, Ontario. Frederick William "Wyld" Macdonald, 15th Infantry Battalion was struck off strength upon General Demobilization on March 20, 1919, at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, credited with having served in Canada, England and France with the 15th Infantry Battalion and at District Depot No. 1. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Captain Macdonald was awarded the Military Cross, "for gallant and distinguished serves in the Field, which have been brought to notice in accordance with the terms of Army Order 193 of 1919", effective May 5, 1919, with no citation, the announcement appearing in the Fourth Supplement of the London Gazette 31759 of Tuesday, January 27, 1920, on Friday, January 30, 1920, page 1220 and in the Canada Gazette of Saturday, March 13, 1920, page 3030. Macdonaldwould later served with the 48th Highlanders during the Second World War. His middle name is referred to as "Wyld" instead of "William" in some of his records and military awards records on the Library and Archives Canada website. Also, his last name appears as "MacDonald" instead of "Macdonald" in the London Gazette and in some records.