Matron Margaret Clothilde MacDonald appointed Matron-in-Chief of the Canadian Nursing service, becoming the first woman in the British Empire to obtain the rank of major during a nursing career of over thirty years.
Early Life
Margaret Clothilde MacDonald born 26 February 1879 in Bailey’s Brook, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Canada. The third daughter of Donald St Daniel and Mary Chisholm Macdonald, at this time, her father ran the local general store.
Education
MacDonald educated at the Stella Maris Convent school, Pictou in 1884. Then attended Mount St Vincent Academy, Halifax in 1890. Later in 1893, applied and granted admission to the nursing program at the New York City Hospital., and graduated as a nurse from the New York City Hospital in 1895.
Spanish–American War
In the Spanish–American War MacDonald served at Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, Long Island. At this time, Camp Wikoff used to quarantine 29,000 soldiers, including Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders at the conclusion of the Spanish–American War, to prevent the spread of yellow fever and other tropical diseases.
Second Boer War
MacDonald one of twelve Canadian women who served in the Second Boer War. At this time, she caught malaria and promptly returned after she recovered, having served from 1 October 1899 to 31 July 1902. Later, Nursing Sister, A.M.C., from 1 August 1902.
Then in 1901, nurses officially became a component of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, with nursing sisters Georgina Fane Pope and MacDonald being appointed as the first full-time Canadian military nurses in 1906. Note over 3,000 nursing sisters eventually served in the Great War.
Panama Canal
MacDonald offered a contract to work with the medical staff at the Panama Canal, where she did so for 18 months. Nursed the workers who were suffering yellow fever while digging the Panama Canal. There, she caught malaria, and promptly returned after she recovered, however, she suffered additional attacks of malaria in 1906 and 1907.
Canadian Army Medical Service
MacDonald finally retires on appointment to Permanent Force, 2 November 1906. Later joined the Canadian Army Medical Service, Nursing Sisters, First Contingent, becoming one of the two military nurses in the permanent militia. At this time, her first posting as a nursing assistant at the Station (Garrison) Hospital in Halifax. Nursing Sister, P.A.M.C., from 2 November 1906.
Attestation
MacDonald mobilized for Active Service from 4 August 1914, then Temporary Nursing Matron, from 17 August 1914, and transferred to the CEF, 21 September 1914. At this time, 28 September 1914, MacDonald stood 5′ 3″ tall, 112 pounds, with fair complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair, and she was 35 years and 3 months of age. A Roman Catholic, with approving officer Lt-Col C.F. Wild.
Great War
MacDonald appointed Matron, attached to the 1st Contingent of the CEF, 22 September 1914, and later promoted to the rank of Major, the highest ranking woman military officer in the British Empire. MacDonald embarked for England 3 October 1914.
At West Down North on Friday 23 October 1914, No.1 General Hospital inspected by Field Marshall Earl Roberts, less than a month before his death. Roberts died on pneumonia on 14 November 1914 while visiting Indian troops near St Omer, France – his body arrived in Folkestone on 17 November.
Then, the next day, the hospital records it’s first fatality, Private John J Laroe 37123, Divisional Ammunition Park. Matron-in-Chief MacDonald pays her first visit. Major Francis Leonard Vaux later travels to London to represent No.1 Canadian General Hospital. Finally, on a very cold, dark and sleety 19 November 1914, Earl Roberts buried at St Paul’s Cathedral.
MacDonald appointed Matron-in-Chief, CEF, 4 November 1914, earning $150 per month (increased to $200/month on 27 August 1917). MacDonald later reported to DMS, 34 Victoria Street West, London, 10 April 1915.
France
Matron MacDonald On duty to France (10 days), 7 September 1915.
On duty to France, On Command, 16 November 1915.
Royal Red Cross
Awarded Royal Red Cross, Gazetted, 11 January 1916. Later, On Command to Shorncliffe, 25-26 January 1916, and On Command to Folkestone, 21-23 February 1916. Finally, to Folkestone On Duty, 21-23 March 1916.
Returns to France
Matron Margaret Clothilde MacDonald proceeded on inspection duty Overseas, 3 May 1916, later returning 25 May 1916.
On Duty to Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital, Buxton, 30-31 May 1916.
Again, proceeded on inspection duty Overseas, 26 July 1916, later returning 2 August 1916.
Matron Margaret Clothilde MacDonald later proceeded to Taplow On Duty, 23-24 June 1916.
To the Shorncliffe Area On Duty, 6-10 July 1916.
Matron Margaret Clothilde MacDonald proceeded overseas on Inspection Duty, 25 July 1916, later returning 2 August 1916.
Then, proceeded on inspection duty overseas (14 days), 18 April 1917. Again, proceeded overseas on duty, 3 July 1918, later returning 20 July 1918.
Matron Margaret Clothilde MacDonald RRC granted leave 24-30 August 1918.
Florence Nightingale Medal
The first awards of the Florence Nightingale Medal announced by the International Red Cross Committee at Geneva, and later published on 5 June 1920. The medal earlier instituted by the International Committee in 1912 in memory of the work of Miss Florence Nightingale, to be distributed annually to six trained nurses who, in the opinion of the Committee, have rendered exceptional service in connection with nursing.
During the Great War, no distribution made, but shortly after the signing of peace, decided to award fifty of these medals, and all National Red Cross Societies requested to submit recommendations for consideration by the Committee. At this time, the first forty-two medals awarded to Nursing Sisters of Great Britain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Rumania, Czechho-Slovakia, and one Canadian, Matron Margaret Clothilde MacDonald RRC.
Demobilization
Matron Margaret Clothilde MacDonald RRC admitted to hospital in North Audley, London, Influenza/Bronchitis, 16 February 1919, later discharged on 28 February.
Later, MacDonald returned to Canada per SS MEGANTIC, 27 November 1919 to help in the re-organization of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. Granted leave until 27 January 1920.
On 30 March 1920, from Casualty Company Medical District No.6, MacDonald then reverts to her Permanent Force unit, retaining her Temporary CEF Status pending Reconstitution of the Permanent Force, and S.o.S., CEF (Ottawa, 29 June 1920).
Retirement
MacDonald retired from the Permanent Force on 17 February 1923 at the age of 51. Furthermore, after her military career, she travelled extensively. In addition, MacDonald earned an honorary DDL from Saint Francis Xavier University.
A ceremony took place in 1926 at Parliament Hill to unveil a memorial to the Canadian Nursing Sisters, a sculpted marble panel which portrays the history of Canadian nurses. She was immortalized as a national historic person of Canada by a plaque set in her birthplace in 1983.
The Nursing Sisters’ Memorial located in the Hall of Honour in the centre block on Parliament Hill. The sculptor Mr G W Hill, R.C.A., of Montréal, did this work in Italy, and earlier found a beautiful piece of marble from the Carara quarries. The completed panel mounted in the Hall of Honour during the summer of 1926.