The Daily News. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1901. GENERAL SIR HECTOR MACDONALD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 261, 5 November 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1901. GENERAL SIR HECTOR MACDONALD.

This distinguished British General, who will honour New Plymouth with a short visit this evening, is one whose name is a household word wherever the English language is spoken. As the successor to the beloved General Wauchope in the command of the Highland Brigade in the Transvaal, after that officer was struck down at the head of his men on the fatal field of Magers fontein, he possesses a pacutiar interest to the people of this colony, who have followed the various stages of the war in South Africa with breathless interest. General Mac Donald is the first of the great generals engaged in the Transvaal to visit the colony, and a few facts regarding bim will doubtless interest our readers. General Mac Donald began life in a yery humble way as the fifth son of a crofter in the Highlands of Scotland, and, although only 49 years of age, is a major-general in the British Army, a K. 0.8., D.5.0., and A.D.O. to the King, having risen from a private soldier to his present high position since June, 1870. On 1 aving J school he was apprenticed to Mr W. Mackay, draper, of Inverness, but after two years of trade, which was distasteful to him, he joined the 92nd Gordon Highlanders. He went to India, where he rose to the position of colour-ser-geant. The Afghan war g-ive him the opportunity he deseed, end under General, now Field-Marslial Lord Roberts, he won such distinction that he emerged from the campaign a tecond lieutenant with a medal and three clasps, and a bronze decoration, having accepted a commission instead of the Victoria Cross. He next saw service [in the Boer war of 1880-81, being taken prisoner at the terrible disaster on Majuba Hill, but after the battle had his sword returned him by order of General Joubert, in recognition of his bravery during that fatal day, he having with a small body of " Gordons " held the enemy at bay for seven hours. He next took part in the operations in the Soudan for the rolief of Gorden and did splendid work, organising the Soudanese and besides the D.5.0., earned the title of " Fighting Mac.," by which he has ever since been distinguished. It was, however, at the great and decisive battle of Omdurman that he showed what he was capable of as a general, and the story of his deeds that day is the most fascinating of the war. For his services in Egypt, extending from 1885 to 1898, he received several Egyptian decora'ion*, was thanked by both Houses of Parliament, made aide de ccmp to the late Queen, and promoted to the rank of colonel. His next great eervics was in South Africa, where, with the assistance of General Bibington, who is now on his way to New Zealand, he prepared the way for Lord Roberts' wonderful march, which resulted in the relief of Kimberley. In the operations before Paardeberg, while leading the Highland Brigade to the attack, he was struck below the knee cap by a Mauser bullet, which went round behind the knee and, travelling upwards, emerged just below the hip. It then penetrated the saddle and killed tbe horse he was riding. This put him out of action for some time and he was sent to an important command in J India. A tear relative writing cf him{ ■is a man says: "Hector is very decided and methodical in everything he dots. He says little, but what he does say is always to the point. He is jovial and merry-hearted, but can be stem and decided when duty calls. Henever loses himself, but is always cool and collected. One leading trait of his character is to see through a situation, and when an emergency comes to act promptly. Hector Mac Donald is a 1 warm-hearted, loying and attached friend, and csn enter' into all the sorrows and joy 8 of civil life. He is vwy much attached to the Highlands and everything belonging to them. Anyt'oingjsavouring of-sham he bate-'. Sim p'icity is marksd in everything ha does. He is a nou-smoker, and most abstemious, He favours religion, and has a strong trust in Gcd."