Hector Macdonald, 25 Aignish

This district was again cast into mourning when it became known that King's Sergeant Hector Macdonald, Seaforths, 25 Aignish, died from wounds in the field hospital, Thun St Martin, in France, on 27 March 1918. The first report from the Record Office, Perth, to his father left some ray of hope that he was a wounded prisoner of war in Germany. As time passed without any report from Germany, his friends became rather anxious. The dreaded news of his death from wounds received in action was received by his father on the 22nd August, and the sincerest sympathy of the whole district goes out to the bereaved parents and family in their great sorrow and loss. Hector was a young lad of more than ordinary ability, bright, active and intelligent and one who was likely to succeed it his life had been spared. Before the war he had served his apprenticeship in the drapery trade in Cardiff with Mr Miller, 21 Richmond Creswcent, and was about to start business on his own account when the war broke out. Being an old Milita (Territorial) boy, he with other two lads from the district, who were also in the drapery trade joined their old Regiment, the Seaforths, and after a short period of training was sent to France. The other two were severely wounded, one of them being discharged as unfit for further service. It has already been told how Hector, when a corporal, and in a tight corner on the Western Front, led his company after all his officers were either killed or wounded, and took a strongly fortified block house, and a large number of German prisoners were led to the rear. For this action he was made King's Sergeant on the field. His marked ability in leading men was recognised by his Commanding Officer and he was strongly adivsed to go into training for his commission, but the German offensive in March last brought his bright career to an end. He made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his King and Country, in defence of righeousness and the freedom of mankind. This cruel war has left many a desolate and mourning home in every corner of the world. The small township of Aignish has suffered severely already - nine most promising young lads have fallen and six are discharged as unfit for further service.

27 September 1918