Background
Hector Archibald MacDonald was born on March 4, 1853, at Rootfield, near Dingwall, Ross-shire.
Hector Archibald MacDonald was born on March 4, 1853, at Rootfield, near Dingwall, Ross-shire.
Hector Macdonald studied at school until the age of 15 years.
His first job at the age of 15 was as a draper's apprentice. After employment in a draper's shop at Dingwall, he enlisted as a private in the 92nd Gordon highlanders in August 1870, when eighteen, and served about nine and a half years in the ranks and as colour-sergeant. He first saw active service in the second Afghan war. On September 27, 1879, he showed skill and energy in driving the enemy from the Hazardarakt pass near Karatiga and thereby enabling Lord Roberts to continue his march to Kushi. He again distinguished himself at the action of Charasiab on October 6 following by dislodging a picquet, which was causing much annoyance by its fire. He was mentioned in despatches on both occasions. He took part in the Maidan expedition, in the operations round Kabul in December 1879, including the defence of the Sherpur cantonments, the attack upon Takt-i-Shah, the engagement of Childukhtan, and the second action at Charasiab. He accompanied Lord Roberts on his march from Kabul to Kandahar in August 1880, and was engaged at the recomiaissance of August 31 and at the battle of September 1, distinguishing himself at the capture of Ayub Khan's camp at Baba Wali. His dash and prowess in the field, which won him the sobriquet of "Fighting Mac", led General Roberts to promote him at Kabul to the rank of second lieutenant in the Gordon highlanders ; his commission was ratified on January 7, 1880, when his claymore was presented to him by his brother officers. He was awarded the Afghan medal with three clasps and the bronze decoration (January 16, 1880). On the way home from India Macdonald and two companies of the 92nd Highlanders were landed in Natal to join Sir George Colley in his attempt to relieve the British garrisons in the Transvaal. At the battle of Majuba "Fighting Mac" displayed heroic courage. He was taken prisoner, but General Joubert was so impressed with the bravery of his defence that on his release his sword was returned to him. He became full lieutenant on July 1, 1881.
In 1883 Macdonald's appointment to a post in the Egyptian constabulary under Valentine Baker opened a new phase in his career. Incidentally he shared in the Nile expedition of 1885, serving as garrison adjutant at Assiout from January 22 to June 5, 1885. After the failure of that expedition Macdonald played an important part in reorganising the Egyptian army, and was mainly associated with the training of the 11th Sudanese regiment, which he modelled on the Highlanders. He became captain in 1888, and was transferred to the Egyptian army. The Sudan campaign of 1888-1891 gave Macdonald the opportunity of testing the steadiness of the Sudanese troops under his command. Their conduct at Toski (August 3, 1889) and the capture of Tokar (February 19, 1891) reflected great credit on Macdonald's training and example. He received the medal with two clasps, bronze star with clasp, third-class of the Medjidie, and the distinguished service order (February 25, 1890), as well as the third-class of the Osmanie. He was promoted major on July 7, 1891 and was attached to the 7th royal fusiliers, while remaining in Egypt. In 1896, when Sir Herbert (afterwards Viscount) Kitchener began the reconquest of the Sudan, Macdonald was appointed to the command of a brigade of Egyptian infantry in the expedition to Dongola. Both at Ferkeh on June 7 and Hafir on September 19 he showed a rare gift for handling troops, and for his services received the brevet of lieutenant-colonel on November 18, 1896 and the Egyptian medal with two clasps. He served also in the Nile expedition of 1897-1898, and commanded an Egyptian brigade at the action of Abu Hamed, and at the battle of Atbara (April 8, 1898). The adroitness he displayed at Omdurman (September 2, 1898) in wheeling round his brigade through a complete half circle, half battalion by half battalion, to meet an unexpected flank attack of the Dervishes, turned what might have proved disaster into victory. "Fighting Mac" became a popular hero on his return, and the enthusiasm was enhanced by the fact that he had risen from the ranks. He had been nominated CB. on June 22, 1897, and was appointed A. D. C. to Queen Victoria, with brevet of colonel, on November 16, 1898. He was thanked by both Houses of Parliament and received the Egyptian medal with two clasps.
From October 24, 1899, till January 3, 1900, he was a brigadier-general in India, commanding the Sirhind district in the Punjab with headquarters at Umballa ; he attained the rank of major-general on relinquishing the command. On the death of Major-general Wauchope at the battle of Magersfontein (December 10, 1899) Macdonald succeeded him in the command of the Highland brigade, and at once proceeded to South Africa. There he maintained his high reputation. He prepared the way for Lord Roberts's march to the relief of Kimberley by seizing Koodoesberg (February 5-8, 1900), and by this demonstration the attention of the Boers was distracted from the main advance. He was present at the operations which resulted in the surrender of General Cronje's army at Paardeberg (February 16-27, 1900). In the attack on the Boer laager on February 18 he was slightly woimded while leading the Highland brigade. During the reduction of the Free State he was attached to the ninth division under Sir Henry Colvile. On the march from Lindley to Heilbron he took part in several stubbornly contested actions (May 27-31, 1900), and was engaged in the operations that led to the surrender of General Prinsloo at Brandwater. During the subsequent guerilla warfare he directed bodies of troops in the south-east of the Orange River Colony, being from the beginning of 1901 stationed at Aliwal North. For his services in South Africa he was created a K. C. B. in 1900, and given the command of the Belgaum district in southern India in 1901. In May 1902 he was transferred to the command of the troops in Ceylon.
There disaster befel him. In February 1903 a complaint was made to the Governor, by a clergyman and some schoolmasters, that Macdonald was in the practice of indulging in inappropriate behaviour with English boys aged 12 or 13. There was also talk of misbehaviour with native boys in a railway carriage and another story of indecent exposure. The Governor sent him on leave to England in early 1903 but he was hoping not to see him again. However, Macdonald was ordered to return to Ceylon to face a court martial. He booked his return passage from Marsailles to Ceylon and checked in to the Regina Hotel in Paris. It was there, on March 25, in room 105, that he put a pistol to his head and shot himself.
Sir Hector Archibald MacDonald was a renowned British soldier who won the rare distinction of rising from the ranks to major general.
Hector MacDonald received the following awards: Afghan medal (January 16, 1880), Medal with two clasps, Bronze star with clasp, Third-class of the Medjidie, Distinguished Service Order (February 25, 1890), Third-class of the Osmanie, Order of the Bath (November 1900). Also he received Egyptian medal with two clasps three times.
A memorial in the form of a tower 100 feet high was completed at Dingwall, overlooking his birthplace, on May 23, 1907.
In 1884 Hector Macdonald married Christina McDonald. The couple had one son.
William MacDonald was a crofter and a stonemason.
Ann Boyd was the daughter of John Boyd of Killiechoilum, Whitebridge, and Cradlehall, near Inverness.
Christina McDonald was the daughter of Alexander MacLouchlan Duncan of Leith.
