Tuesday 5 July 2011

Honorary Captain The Reverend Donald George MacPhail

Born on 23 April 1864 in Perth, Ontario - husband of Louise B. MacPhail, Cayuga, Ontario - son of Donald and Christina MacPhail, Perth, Ontario - father of several daughters, including Katherine - attended Perth Collegiate Institute and graduated from Queen's University in 1889 - at the time of his enlistment in 1916: trade as Presbyterian Minister; Presbyterian; currently a member of the 37th Haldimand Rifles.

Joined the 72nd Battalion, CEF, as chaplain in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 26 April 1916 - taken on the strength of the 6th Infantry Brigade, CEF, on 2 November 1916 - attached to the 38th Battalion, CEF, as chaplain and Honorary Captain on 3 July 1917 - ceased to be attached to the 38th Battalion on 15 September 1917 - drowned aboard HMHS Llandovery Castle on 27 June 1918 - his body washed ashore three months later - buried in Lampaul Churchyard (south-east corner), France.

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org; Peter Gower (comp.), Kingston Volunteers: The Thing To Do (Kingston: n.p., 2008), p.94)

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