Alexander Hamilton McDonald

Alexander Hamilton (Hammy) McDonald(March 16, 1919 – March 31, 1980) was aCanadianpolitician. Born inFleming,Saskatchewan,he was the son of a Saskatchewan farm family and was the third generation of his family to farm in the Fleming area.

Alexander Hamilton McDonald
SenatorfromSaskatchewan(Moosomin)
In office 1965–1980
Leader of the Opposition(Saskatchewan)
In office 1955–1960
Preceded by	Asmundur Loptson
Succeeded by	Ross Thatcher
MLAforMoosomin
In office 1952–1965
Preceded by	Arthur Thomas Procter
Succeeded by	Frank Gardner
Personal details
Born	March 16, 1919 Fleming,Saskatchewan
Died	March 31, 1980 Ottawa
Political party	Saskatchewan Liberal Party
Other political affiliations	Liberal Party of Canada
Spouse	Madeleine Anne Casey

Military

During World War II, McDonald served overseas as aFlight Lieutenantin theRoyal Canadian Air Force.He 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, He was one of the very earliest pilots in the RCAF. Until 1944 he flew aSpitfirewith real distinction. He was shot down several times, more than once in Europe, and made his way back throughenemy territoryto fly again. Once, he was shot down in theEnglish Channeland spent several hours in hisMae West.By sheer luck he was picked up by anEnglishfishing boat and was flying again in Europe a week later. He came back from the war having won several medals including theDistinguished Flying Cross.

Political career

Upon returning from the Second World War with his wife, the former Madeleine Anne Casey ofWashington, D.C.,McDonald went back to the 960-acre (3.9 km²)Flemingfarm originally settled by his grandfather in 1881. He didn't seek his first nomination; rather, he was pressed by families and neighbours to let his name stand. He ran as a "Liberal-Progressive Conservative" candidate in the provincial general election of1948,having been nominated by a joint constituency convention of the two parties. Soon after he took a seat in theLegislative Assembly of Saskatchewan,he devoted his political career solely to the Liberal Party and ran successfully as aLiberal candidatefor the constituency ofMoosominin the1952,1956,1960and1964general elections. During his career in provincial politics, he rose rapidly in prominence in public life and within the Liberal Party, becoming the leader of the provincial partyin 1954,a position which he held for five years. An articledescribing his career 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 theLeader of the Oppositionand continued to hold responsible positions within the Liberal Party after his tenure as party leader. From 1964 to 1965, he served asMinisterof Agriculture and Deputy Premier toPremierRoss Thatcher.

He resigned his seat in 1965 and later that year was appointed to theSenate of Canadarepresenting thesenatorial divisionofMoosomin,Saskatchewan. ALiberal,he wasDeputy Leader of the Government in the Senate(appointed in 1968) andGovernment Whipin the Senate (appointed in 1970). Throughout his parliamentary career, McDonald was active in the affairs of theCommonwealth Parliamentary Association,theInternational Parliamentary Unionand theNATO Parliamentary Assembly.He took part in community activities as a member of theRoyal Canadian Legion,the United Services Institute and theElks Lodge.

McDonald died in office in 1980. His funeral – held at theUnited Churchin Moosomin, Saskatchewan – was overflowing with dignitaries fromOttawa,the provinces and many, many locals fromwithin the constituency.He was remembered with real affection and was genuinely liked by both sides of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly. His honorary pallbearers included twoMemberselected under theNDPbanner.

References

• "Saskatchewan senator dies".The Globe and Mail.1980-04-02.

External links

• Alexander Hamilton McDonald – Parliament of Canada biography