Alexander Hamilton McDonald
Encyclopedia
Alexander Hamilton McDonald (March 16, 1919 – March 31, 1980) was a Canadian
politician. Born in Fleming
, Saskatchewan
, he was the son of a Saskatchewan farm family and was the third generation of his family to farm in the Fleming area.
in the RCAF
. Hammy had learned to fly before the war. A doctor in the Fleming community in which he grew up had a plane and taught him and several other boys how to fly. By virtue of this fact, Hammy was one of the very earliest pilots in the RCAF. Until 1944 he flew a Spitfire
with real distinction. He was shot down several times, more than once in Europe and made his way back through enemy territory to fly again. He was shot down in the English Channel and spent several hours in his Mae West
. By sheer luck he was picked up by an English fishing boat and was flying again in Europe a week later. He came back from the war having won several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross
.
, Hammy went back to the 960 acres (3.9 km²) Fleming farm originally settled by Mr. McDonald's grandfather in 1881. He didn't seek his first nomination. He was pressed by families and neighbors to let his name stand. In the provincial general election of 1948 he ran as a "Liberal-Progressive Conservative" candidate, having been nominated by a joint constituency convention of the two parties. Soon after he took a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
, he devoted his political career solely to the Liberal Party and ran successfully as a Liberal Candidate for the constituency of Moosomin
in the general elections of 1952
, 1956
, 1960
and 1964
. During his career in provincial politics, Hammy McDonald rose rapidly in prominence in public life and within the Liberal Party. In 1954, he became the leader of the Liberal Party in Saskatchewan, a position which he held for five years until 1959. An article describing the career of Mr. McDonald in this context noted, "The swift and dazzling rise of 37-year-old Alexander Hamilton McDonald to the leadership of the Liberal Party in Saskatchewan has no parallel in Canadian political history." From 1955 to 1960, he was the Leader of the Opposition
. Hammy McDonald continued to hold responsible positions within the Liberal Party after his tenure as leader of the party. In the years 1964 to 1965 Hammy served as Minister
of Agriculture and Deputy Premier to Premier W. Ross Thatcher
.
He resigned his seat in 1965 and later that year was appointed to the Senate of Canada representing the senatorial division of Moosomin
, Saskatchewan. A Liberal
, he was Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
(appointed in 1968) and Government Whip
in the Senate (appointed in 1970). Throughout his parliamentary career, Hammy was active in the affairs of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
, the International Parliamentary Union and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
. He took part in community activities as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion
, the United Services Institute and the Elks Lodge
.
Hammy McDonald died in office in 1980. His funeral – held at the United Church in Moosomin, Saskatchewan – was overflowing with dignitaries from Ottawa
, the provinces and many, many locals from within the constituency
. He was remembered with real affection and was genuinely liked by both sides of the House (Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly). His honorary pallbearers included two Members
elected under the NDP banner.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician. Born in Fleming
Fleming, Saskatchewan
-External links:*...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, he was the son of a Saskatchewan farm family and was the third generation of his family to farm in the Fleming area.
Military
During World War II Hammy served overseas as a Flight LieutenantFlight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
in the RCAF
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
. Hammy had learned to fly before the war. A doctor in the Fleming community in which he grew up had a plane and taught him and several other boys how to fly. By virtue of this fact, Hammy was one of the very earliest pilots in the RCAF. Until 1944 he flew a Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
with real distinction. He was shot down several times, more than once in Europe and made his way back through enemy territory to fly again. He was shot down in the English Channel and spent several hours in his Mae West
Mae West
Mae West was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned seven decades....
. By sheer luck he was picked up by an English fishing boat and was flying again in Europe a week later. He came back from the war having won several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
.
Political career
Upon returning from the Second World War with his wife, the former Madeleine Anne Casey of Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Hammy went back to the 960 acres (3.9 km²) Fleming farm originally settled by Mr. McDonald's grandfather in 1881. He didn't seek his first nomination. He was pressed by families and neighbors to let his name stand. In the provincial general election of 1948 he ran as a "Liberal-Progressive Conservative" candidate, having been nominated by a joint constituency convention of the two parties. Soon after he took a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
The 25th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan was in power from 2003 until November 20, 2007. It was controlled by the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party under premier Lorne Calvert.-Members:-By-elections:...
, he devoted his political career solely to the Liberal Party and ran successfully as a Liberal Candidate for the constituency of Moosomin
Moosomin (electoral district)
Moosomin is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Canada. Located in southeastern Saskatchewan, this constituency was one of 25 created for the 1st Saskatchewan general election in 1905....
in the general elections of 1952
Saskatchewan general election, 1952
The Saskatchewan general election of 1952 was the twelfth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 11, 1952, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
, 1956
Saskatchewan general election, 1956
The Saskatchewan general election of 1956 was the thirteenth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 20, 1956, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.-The campaign:...
, 1960
Saskatchewan general election, 1960
The Saskatchewan general election of 1960 was the fourteenth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on June 8, 1960, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
and 1964
Saskatchewan general election, 1964
The Saskatchewan general election of 1964 was the fifteenth provincial election held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was held on April 22, 1964, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan....
. During his career in provincial politics, Hammy McDonald rose rapidly in prominence in public life and within the Liberal Party. In 1954, he became the leader of the Liberal Party in Saskatchewan, a position which he held for five years until 1959. An article describing the career of Mr. McDonald in this context noted, "The swift and dazzling rise of 37-year-old Alexander Hamilton McDonald to the leadership of the Liberal Party in Saskatchewan has no parallel in Canadian political history." From 1955 to 1960, he was the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Saskatchewan)
A list of parliamentary opposition leaders in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, from 1906 to the present. There was no designated Leader of the Opposition for the sessions of 1921 and 1922.In the period 1925-1929 C.E. Tran and J.T.M...
. Hammy McDonald continued to hold responsible positions within the Liberal Party after his tenure as leader of the party. In the years 1964 to 1965 Hammy served as Minister
Executive Council of Saskatchewan
The Executive Council of Saskatchewan is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
of Agriculture and Deputy Premier to Premier W. Ross Thatcher
W. Ross Thatcher
Wilbert Ross Thatcher, PC was the ninth Premier of Saskatchewan, Canada, serving from 2 May 1964 to 30 June 1971....
.
He resigned his seat in 1965 and later that year was appointed to the Senate of Canada representing the senatorial division of Moosomin
Moosomin, Saskatchewan
-Climate:-Moosomin in popular culture:* The Guess Who has a song called "Runnin' Back to Saskatoon"; it also mentions Moose Jaw and Moosomin.-Notable people from Moosomin:...
, Saskatchewan. A Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, he was Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Leader of the Government in the Senate (Canada)
The Leader of the Government in the Senate is a Canadian cabinet minister who leads the government side in the Canadian Senate and is chiefly responsible for promoting and defending the government's program in the Upper House. The government leader's counterpart on the Opposition benches is the...
(appointed in 1968) and Government Whip
Whip (politics)
A whip is an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are a party's "enforcers", who typically offer inducements and threaten punishments for party members to ensure that they vote according to the official party policy...
in the Senate (appointed in 1970). Throughout his parliamentary career, Hammy was active in the affairs of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, previously known as the Empire Parliamentary Association, is an organisation, of British origin, which works to support good governance, democracy and human rights...
, the International Parliamentary Union and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
NATO Parliamentary Assembly
Founded in 1955, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly serves as the consultative interparliamentary organisation for the North Atlantic Alliance. Its current President is Karl A...
. He took part in community activities as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion
Royal Canadian Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian ex-service organization founded in 1925, with more than 400,000 members worldwide. Membership includes people who have served as current and former military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police, direct relatives of...
, the United Services Institute and the Elks Lodge
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
.
Hammy McDonald died in office in 1980. His funeral – held at the United Church in Moosomin, Saskatchewan – was overflowing with dignitaries from Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, the provinces and many, many locals from within the constituency
Moosomin (electoral district)
Moosomin is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Canada. Located in southeastern Saskatchewan, this constituency was one of 25 created for the 1st Saskatchewan general election in 1905....
. He was remembered with real affection and was genuinely liked by both sides of the House (Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly). His honorary pallbearers included two Members
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
elected under the NDP banner.