More than a century after his passing, First World War veteran Ranald (Big Mac) Macdonald’s name will finally be added to the Guelph War Memorial.
Former staff members from the newspaper – where Macdonald served as an agricultural editor before and after the war – pushed for his name to be included on the cenotaph despite him not having family in southern Ontario.
“This was a fellow member of the newsroom and someone who had obviously made his mark,” said Phil Andrews, who was the Mercury’s editor until it ceased publication in 2016.
He mentioned that past employees felt it was important for Macdonald to receive recognition.
“But it’s not a story about us,” Andrews explained. “It’s really a story about this terrific citizen from a bygone day who made a great contribution.”
‘He went to war when he didn’t really have to’
Ed Butts, an author and local historian, discovered Macdonald’s story while looking into names on the cenotaph back in 2014.
He wrote a about Macdonald for the Mercury that is part of his 2024 collection titled Guelph Stories.
“When the First World War began, he was 35 years old … and that was quite a bit older than most of the people who signed with the army,” Butts shared in an interview with .
“He did not have to go, but he did.”
LISTEN | Historian Ed Butts tells the story of Ranald Macdonald:
The Morning Edition – K-W3:16WWI veteran Ranald Macdonald to be added to Guelph cenotaph
The City of Guelph is honoring a First World War veteran by adding his name to the city’s cenotaph over a hundred years after he died. Local historian and author Ed Butts tells us the story of fallen soldier, Ranald Macdonald.
Macdonald studied at the Ontario Agricultural College and later became an instructor focusing on dairy farming.
When World War I broke out, Macdonald joined up with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. In 1916, he sustained gunshot wounds during battle.
For some time, his colleagues at Mercury believed he had died. It was later confirmed that he survived and was recovering.
Macdonald returned home in 1919. He resumed work at Mercury and took on leadership as vice-president of what would become part of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Great War Veterans Association in Guelph.
Brought into this world in Scotland, he passed away from war-related respiratory issues in 1920. He never married or had kids, leaving Mercury workers with few leads regarding any living relatives.
“It’s my understanding that the only survivor of Big Mac … was his brother who came and settled in Peterborough,” Andrews noted. “They were obviously close because the brother was at Ranald’s bedside when he passed away.”
That brother, George Andrew (G. A.) Macdonald, served as vice-president at Peterborough Quaker Oats Company. He died in Illinois during March 1947.
By researching genealogical records for the Macdonald family, found one living relative: Nancy Macdonald Jordan from Ohio.
“Just about everybody in the Macdonald family worked for Quaker Oats.. Ranald came over [from Scotland] many years after his brothers and chose his own path,” said macdonal Jordan.
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Ranald macdonal , bottom left , is seated with his family in Edinburgh circa 1890. (Submitted by Nancy macdonal Jordan )
How macdonal ‘s service will be remembered
Tammy Adkins , manager of museums and culture for The city Of guelph , confirmed there will be A ceremony For macdonal ’ s addition To The cenotaph. A date hasn’t been announced yet , but It should happen Before remembrance Day.
The people connected To macdonal – whether Through profession , history Or Family – Are excited About efforts To honor Him.
“I’m very pleased About The cenotaph ,” macdonal Jordan said. “He Was wounded Twice And deserves Some recognition.”
Andrews expressed pride In being part Of This “long overdue” commemoration; butts agreed That macdonal “certainly deserves To have His Name There.”
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