CO Home Bn August 1914 – December 1915, CO 134th Bn December 1915 – August 1916
Born on 17 December 1869, LCol Duncan Donald attended University of Toronto and Osgood Hall and was called to the Bar in 1894. In 1910, he was appointed Secretary of the Law Society of Upper Canada until 1912 when he joined the Head Office of the Bank of Commerce as head of bank premises.
He was Secretary of the St Andrew’s Society in 1904.
Then Major Donald married Jean Agnes MacArthur on October 4, 1905 in St Andrew’s Church. They had a daughter Mrs Margaret Elgie.
Lt Duncan was on the first list of officers that was prepared by the Regiment and was Colour Bearer when the first colours were presented to the Regiment in 1892. In late 1893 he was promoted Captain and appointed OC B Company. He became Commanding Officer of the 48th Highlanders when LCol Currie and the rest of the 15th Bn CEF left for Valcartier in August 1914.
He attested into the 134th Bn as a Lieutenant Colonel on 15 Dec 1915 having already served in the 48th Highlanders for 23 years and 8 months. During his tour of command of the 134th Bn he was known as the “little Colonel.” In Aug 1916, the 134th Bn sailed from Halifax – without LCol Donald.
He was allowed to resign from the CEF on 15 Feb 1917 but Dileas (p 446) says it was due to a “serious illness.”
LCol Donald died suddenly on September 12, 1954 at 84 years of age. He is interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
His nephew, Lt Alex G Donald, MC joined the 92nd Battalion.
