Duncan Dougie MacDonald

From Glengarryceltic

Duncan was born at MacCrimmon on May 8th, 1922, the oldest of four sons born to Dougald MacDonald and his wife Margaret F. MacLeod. His paternal grandparents were Duncan H. and Mary Ann (Kerr) MacDonald, and maternal grandparents were Donald D. and Mary Ann (MacSweyn) MacLeod.

His school years were spent at S.S#8 and #2 Caledonia and Kenyon (MacCrimmon West) where he also had one year of High School taught by the elementary teacher. He recalls three teachers of those years - Hattie MacLeod (Mrs. W.R MacLeod), Flora MacSweyn(Mrs. Clifford Campbell) and Inez MacIntosh (Mrs. Willie MacGillivray).

After the school years Duncan worked on the home farm and got extra employment at whatever jobs were available locally. These included working for neighbouring farmers, being a cheese maker's helper at MacCrimmon Cheese factory and also doing seasonal work (like putting up snow fences for the Department of Highways).

During those years Duncan and his brother Donald learned to play the violin from lessons given by their mother. Their first public appearances were at local schools, small halls and house parties.

Next came the "War Years". In 1942 Duncan volunteered for army service. He took basic training in Ottawa, advanced training in Nova Scotia and went overseas on the Queen Elizabeth. He saw anti-aircraft action in England during the Blitz and further action in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. His service was with two different regiments - 3rd Medium 87th Battery (East Coast) and the 67th Battery (Rosetown, Saskatchewan).

After the war ended and while waiting to come home, Duncan drove one of two thousand trucks (GMC of course) from Holland to Czechoslovakia. These trucks were sold by the Canadian government.

He finally got home to Canada between Christmas and New Year's 1945. Christmas was spent on board the Queen Elizabeth in mid Atlantic in one of the worst storms that the Captain and crew had ever experienced. Among those who autographed Duncan's Christmas Day "Menu Card" that year were Dougal McCormick of Greenfield ON and Allan McDonald (Paddy Ranald Roy) or Alexandria, ON and R. Armitage of South March, ON.

The war years influenced Duncan greatly. Having lived and fought alongside comrades of many races and creeds he was determined to live his civilian life honoring the principals and ideals for which he had fought.

The years back home were busy. He lived on the home farm but did custom farm work in summers and worked for the Department of Highways in the winter. He also bought and worked the farm of neighbour Rod MacGillivray. Those years were also busy with music. He played the violin in the local dance orchestras of the time - the Skye Orchestra, the MacCrimmon and the MacDonald Brothers. The dance circuit included Dunvegan, Greenfield, MacCrimmon, Vankleek Hill, Casburn, Barb and Green Valley.

The 1950s saw the marriages of the four MacDonald brothers. Duncan married Mary MacKinnon, Donald married Lillian Hay, Hughie married Gertie Lasalle and Elmer married Inez Morin.

After Duncan's 1955 marriage to Mary MacKinnon (daughter of Forbes and Marion and sister to Jean and Leslie), they moved into the MacGillivray home on lot 2, Concession 9, Kenyon. Farming was carrid on and Mary taught school until she took early retirement.

Music has remained important in Duncan's life -for many years he was a member of the Glengarry Old Time Fiddlers and is presently with the Glengarry Strathspey and Reel Society and the Lochiel Strings.

Duncan is a long time member of the Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 423, Alexandria, Ontario. In the spring of 2002 he received the Dutch Commemorative Medal. Service people who spent the winter of 1944 and 1945 in Holland were now honoured by the Dutch Legion in Ancaster, ON for their part in the liberation of Holland.

Both Duncan and Mary feel grateful for so many happy years spent in the MacCrimmon-Dunvegan area with treasured relatives and friends nearby.