At the age of 14  Sergeant George MACDONALD,  father of Edith Macdonald,  entered the army at Cawpore, as a bugler in the Old 64th (now the Prince of Wales) North Staffordshire Regiment.  He served over 26 years, having joined in India in 1855 and being discharged in England in 1881.

George MACDONALD was born to the miscreant Sergeant George Macdonald on 21st February 1841 whilst his father was stationed at Limerick, Ireland. His mother is not known. Sergeant George [Snr.] also served in the Old 64th North Staffordshire Regiment. It was reported that his father was "a school master in the Indian Army".

While in India, young George went through the terrible Mutiny with his regiment which, with the heroic Havelock, avenged the massacre of Cawpore and helped the brave garrison of Lucknow. When he left the army he had attained the rank of sergeant, and had served 3 1/2 years in the capacity of barrack warden at Salford Barracks, Manchester, and Bury Barracks,  Lancashire. 

He was also stationed for some time at Hanley, Staffordshire, as recruiting sergeant. For some 20 years he was porter, and his wife the housekeeper, at the Birmingham General Dispensary at Camp Hill. At Sutton Coldfield he was for some years the steward at the Parade Club House.

The Chelsea Pension register records: No 88825 Sgt George Macdonald, served 11 years 5 months as a Sergeant, I year 7 months as a Corporal, 13 years 1 month as a private = total 16 years 1 month less under age 3 years 9 months, total 22 years 4 months. of which 3.11 years in Malta and 6.4 years in India. Conduct very good, 5 Good Conduct awards; age 40yrs 3 months; 5ft 8½ins high, brown hair, blue eyes; born Limerick; intends to live Hanley, Sheffield. [from Army Records dated: 14 June 1881]

George MACDONALD b. 21 February 1841 Limerick. d. 8 January 1921. He was married on 4 October 1874 at the Old Church, Hanley, Parish of Stoke on Trent, Staffs., to Clara HOLT b.13 December 1849, Northampton.

They had two children  Margaret MACDONALD  b. 1875 and   Edith MACDONALD b.1 April 1877   Edith died on 3 March 1937 at Hawthorn, Melbourne. She married John Samuel ISSETT July 1899 at S S Peter & Paul Church, Aston, Warwick, England

Page revised: 16 June 1998.

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