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Clan Donald Magazine No 12 (1991) Online

Obituaries

Anne, Lady Macdonald of Macdonald

We record, with regret, the passing of the Dowager Lady Macdonald of Macdonald, mother of our High Chief, Lord Macdonald of Macdonald, on 19th July, 1988, in Skye. Lady MacDonald, widow of the late Major The Rt. Hon. Alexander Godfrey Macdonald of Macdonald, 7th Lord Macdonald of Slate MBE TD, Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire, had been in poor health for some time.

Air Vice Marshal DMT Macdonald of Tormore CB

It was with deep shock and much sadness that we learnt of the sudden passing, in Oban, on 26th October 1988, in his eightieth year, of Air Vice Marshal Donald Malcolm Thomas Macdonald of Tormore, CB, known affectionately as "Calum" to all his numerous friends. The representative of the Sleat cadet family of Tormore, itself a cadet of Castleton, Calum took a keen interest in the genealogies of his own family and of the Clan at large and its history. He played a not unimportant part in the decision making as to the development of the Clan Donald Lands Trust in its early days and in the Clan Donald Centre. He was a contributor to Clan Donald Magazine and a regular attender over many years at the Annual Gatherings of the Clan Donald Societies of Edinburgh and Glasgow, of both of which he was a member. Born on 15th August 1909 he was educated at Westminster School and joined the Royal Air Force in 1930. After squadron service as a fighter pilot he became an Armament Instructor at No. 3 Flying Training School. From 1942 to 1952 he was Station Commander of various Royal Air Force Stations in the U.K. and Egypt, becoming Officer Commanding, Middle East Air Transport Force. In 1952, he became Chief Instructor at the Transport Support Wing, School of Land/Air Warfare and was senior air staff officer at Headquarters, Transport Command from 1954 to 1955. He was appointed Director General of Personnel Services at the Air Ministry in 1955 and became Director General of Manning in 1958. His distinguished Royal Air Force career was recognised when he became a Companion of the most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB) in 1952. On his retirement from the Royal Air Force in 1961 he joined the Royal British Legion Scotland at Easdale, becoming National Vice-Chairman and in May 1977, Chairman, which position he held until 1981. He was also a member of the Crofters Commission. Calum was a warm, kind and fatherly man with a wonderful sense of humour. He will be remembered both in and outwith the Clan for his untiring and dedicated work both for the Royal British Legion Scotland and the Earl Haig Fund (Scotland). He is survived by his wife, Kate, daughters Elizabeth, Susan, Frances, and Margaret, (archivist at the Clan Donald Centre), and his son, Donald, now of Tormore.

Alan McDonald

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing, after a short illness of the Society's immediate past President, Alan McDonald, in the Fairmile Nursing Home, Edinburgh, on 6th December, 1990.

Alan, along with his elder brother, joined the Society in 1935, shortly after the death of their father, John L. McDonald, who had been the Society's well-respected Hon. Secretary for thirteen years until the date of his untimely death.

Alan had a highly successful career in the field of insurance and during World War II served in the Royal Army Service Corps, attaining the rank of Captain. He became actively involved in politics in the Scottish National Party culminating in his election as President of his local branch. He served three terms as President of the Society from 1974 to 1983 during which he and his wife Betty gave their full support in the organisation of "At Homes" and other activities run by the Society during the International Gatherings of the Clans held in Edinburgh in 1977 and 1981. He was also a member of the Appeal Committee set up to raise funds for the setting up of the Clan Donald Lands Trust in 1971 and during his terms of office as President, acted as a trustee, ex-officio, of the Invergarry Castle Trust.

Alan and Betty continued to be actively involved in the Society as Council Members and latterly as Vice-Presidents.

A funeral service was held in Cluny Parish Church of Scotland, followed by burial in Morningside Cemetery on 10th December, at which there was a significant representation of both the Edinburgh and Glasgow Societies.

We offer our sincere condolences to Betty, daughter June, son Kenneth and their families, at this sad time.

Dame Margaret Kidd

We regret to announce the passing on 22nd March, 1989, in her ninetieth year, of Dame Margaret Henderson Kidd, a life member of the Society and widow of the late Donald Somerled Macdonald, WS, a past president. Dame Margaret, who in private life was Mrs Donald S. Macdonald during her marriage was the senior member of the Faculty of Advocates. She was Scotland's first and, for more than quarter of a century, only female advocate. She was called to the bar in 1923 and was the first woman in the United Kingdom to take silk in 1948. In 1960 she became Scotland's first Sheriff Principal when she took charge of the Sheriffdom of Dumfries and Galloway. She was Sheriff Principal of Perth and Angus from 1966 to 1974 and was made a Dame of the British Empire in 1975. She is survived by her daughter and grandchildren.

Ian Wilson Macdonald MA DLitt CA

It was with deep regret that we learnt of the passing, on 8th January, 1989, in his 83rd year, of Ian Wilson Macdonald, of Sea ton Court, Gullane, East Lothian, who had been a life member of the Society since 1954. Described as one of the most dynamic and innovative of Scottish bankers, he was a long-standing friend of the late Lord Thomson of Fleet, who bought The Scotsman Publications in 1953, and whom he helped to set up Scottish Television in 1957. He also masterminded the creation of what is now Scotland's largest bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland, through the merger in 1969 with the National Commercial Bank of Scotland, itself an amalgamation of the National and Commercial Banks of Scotland. Born in Old Cumnock, Ayrshire, in 1907, he was educated at Perth and Edinburgh Academies, qualified as a chartered accountant and was Professor of Accountancy at the University of Glasgow from 1933 to 1950. He thereafter joined the board of the Commercial Bank of Scotland, rising to General Manager in 1953, became Chairman of the new National Commercial Bank and then first Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland. In addition, he was Chairman of Lloyds and Scottish from 1961 to 1968, a director of United Biscuits and Lloyds Bank, a member of the National Research Development Corporation and Civil Aviation Authority.

George McDonald Banks

We record, with regret, the passing, on 11th August, 1988, of George McDonald Banks, Editor of the first three numbers of "Clan Donald Magazine" and a member of the Society from 1950 until 1973. Mr Banks, who was a former P.R.O. for the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board, was a trustee of the Invergarry Castle Trust and a member of the Appeal Committee which launched the Clan Donald Lands Trust. He wrote a series of articles, under a pseudonymn, on the Highland clans, for "Scotland's Magazine".

Mrs Florence DC Macdonald

It was with deep regret that we announced the passing on 19th December, 1989, of our Vice-President and former Treasurer, Mrs Florence Macdonald who was so well known either personally or through her correspondence with so many of our members and the Clan organisation at large. Florence was one of the most successful treasurers the Society has had the privilege of recruiting, which office she held for nearly eight years when ill-health forced her to retire. She and her late husband, William (Bill) Macdonald, whose father was a founder member of the Society, became members in 1972 and after his untimely death, Florence responded to the Society's appeal for a Treasurer and dedicated herself to her office. Reliability and integrity were the hallmarks of her character. Her immense popularity was demonstated by the large turn out of members at her funeral and the Society is the poorer by her passing. She is survived by her sister Miss Jessie Urquhart who so loyally supported her sister by attending the Society's functions and in many other ways; by her stepsons, William and Iain and their families.

Mrs Tom Selvester

It was with deep regret that we recorded the passing, in Edinburgh, on 28th June, 1988 of Isabella (Isa) Selvester, wife of Captain Tom Selvester. A devoted wife and mother, Isa enjoyed life to the full and her keen interest in and enthusiasm for Clan Donald and Scottish culture generally was well known. Isa is survived by Angus and Elizabeth Mac Donald, her son and daughter by her first marriage to the late Angus MacDonald.

James S MacDonald

We deeply regret the passing on 23rd April, 1989, of our much respected member James S. MacDonald who over many years served the Society well as Vice-President, Treasurer and Council Member. An accountant by profession,"Jim" was always willing to give advice or lend assistance to the office-bearers of the Society when this was required. He and his wife were an ideal partnership and their support of the Society was almost equal to that for their Baptist church. "Jim" was also prominent in the Boys' Brigade movement. He is survived by his wife Molly, a Council member, sons Morgan and Angus, and daughter Main, and their families.

Leslie Ireson ERD MA (Cantab.)

It was with deep regret that we announced the sudden passing on 14th October, 1990, of our Council Member, Leslie Ireson, who, with his wife Joanna had been a member of the Society since 1973. Leslie and Joanna were regular attenders at the Society's Annual Gatherings and other events over the years and made many friends all over Scotland. Their reluctant removal to the south of England did not prevent them from keeping constantly in touch with their friends north of the Border and the Society. We offer our deep sympathy to Joanna at this sad time.

Mrs BP Park

It was with sadness that we learnt of the passing in December 1989 of Mrs Pat Park, wife of Douglas Park of Norwich, after a prolonged illness. Mrs Park, who with her husband became a life member of the Society in 1979, was a regular attender at the Annual Gatherings and by her warmth and kindly nature made many friends. She is survived by her husband and daughter.

William DH Henderson

It was with sadness that we announced the sudden passing, on Sunday. 31st January, 1988, while on holiday in Florida, of Bill Henderson, 1st Vice-President of the Toronto Branch of the Clan Donald Society of Canada. The husband of Norma Henderson, Secretary of the Clan Donald Council of Canada. Bill was, for many years Treasurer of the Toronto Branch, while his wife was Secretary, and had been a pillar of strength within the branch then and until his untimely death. Having served in the cavalry, Bill was very proud of his Scottish roots and the pleasure of his company will always be remembered by your editor who spent many hours with him and Norma on both sides of the Atlantic.

Mrs Norman (Nan) McDonald

It was with regret that we recorded the passing, early in 1988, of Nan McDonald, Sydney, New South Wales State Commissioner of Australia. Nan, who was a powerful influence in the Clan Donald Society in New South Wales was well known, through her many visits to this and other countries, to clansfolk world-wide and was a trustee of the Clan Donald Lands Trust. She is survived by her husband, Norman.

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