Archibald Hayes Macdonell

Archibald Hayes Macdonell (Toronto, Ontario 6 February 1868-12 November 1939 Rothesay, N.B.), a descendant of United Empire Loyalist, began his military career in 1886, when he joined the militia in Toronto. In 1899 he joined the first Canadian contingent serving as captain of ‘H’ Company, Nova Scotia. In December of that year Macdonell was given command of ‘G’ Company at Belmont, South Africa. At Bloemfontein in early April of the following year Macdonell became ill with enteric fever. During his illness his command was taken over by Frederick Caverhill Jones. After recovering, Macdonell was to return to his Regiment when the Boers attacked his camp. Macdonell and the others present at the station quickly realized that they were surrounded by the Boers led by General Christiaan Rudolf de Wet (1854-1922). Macdonell refused to surrender but after six hours of constant enemy fire, with ten dead and seventeen severely wounded, and no chance of reinforcements, he was forced to do so. De Wet marched the prisoners to his farm at Vaal Krantz, but learning that the British were approaching, De Wet fled leaving the prisoners behind at Farriesburg. Macdonell and the other prisoners were able to escape and rejoin ‘G’ Company. In recognition of his bravery during the war Macdonell received the Distinguished Service Order and rank of brevet major along with the Queen’s medal with four clasps.

In 1901 Macdonell joined the British again, this time to fight in the Aro Expedition in Southern Nigeria. For gallantry in action, he received the following medals: Ebeko Expedition (clasp), Ibeko-Olokoro Expedition (clasp), Afikpo Expedition (clasp and despatches), Mkpani Expedition (clasp), and for Operations at Obokum (clasp).

Like Frederick Caverhill Jones, Macdonell went on to serve in World War I, first as part of the First Divisional Staff and then serving at the front lines commanding the Royal Canadian Regiment. After returning to Canada, he came to New Brunswick and organized the province into a military district on 1 November 1917. He served as commander until November 1921, when he was summoned to the Canadian senate.

In the winter of 1922, Macdonell presented three artefacts from his service in Nigeria.