Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Macdonell
Queen’s Own Rifles

I don’t propose to be an alarmist … we must admit there is no point in us being ostriches. We are not preparing for what the Germans might do but for what we know they can do. Until we get organized there is no use in even giving an alarm, for nothing can be done.

(Kingston Whig-Standard, 29 Apr 1943, 2)

Born on 8 August 1895 in Toronto, Ian McLean Macdonell was a lawyer, former city alderman, and judge of the County Court of York. He was commissioned with the 41st Battery in December 1915 and deployed to France with the 11th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery in July 1916. He was wounded in December 1917 and ended the war as staff captain with the 1st Canadian Division. He began a law practice in Toronto in 1920 and joined the Queen’s Own Rifles. After rising through the commissioned ranks, became commanding officer in April 1939.

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