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Royal Canadian Mounted Police
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MAC MACDONALD HONOURED AT OPENING OF RCMP MUSICAL RIDE
IN SUMMERSIDE 09 JULY 2011
Chief WJR Macdonald R’td (RCMP S/Sgt R’td, Reg. #16014)
Born: Windsor, Ontario- 1930
Received early education at Marlboro Public School and J.L. Forrester Collegiate. Joined the RCMP January 1950 and received training in Depot Division in Regina and completed equitation Mounted Troop. Was on the last scheduled Mounted Troop in the spring of 1951 at which time the RCMP was going to disband the Mounted Training and the Musical Ride. An MP in Ottawa, John Diefenbaker fought hard for the revitalization of the Mounted troop and the Musical Ride. Received transfer to New Brunswick in 1951 and was later transferred to PEI in 1952.
Macdonald was stationed at all detachments in PEI and was Detachment Commander Alberton, Borden, and Summerside. In 1967, was transferred to Truro, Nova Scotia and was in charge of the General Investigation Section until 1970 and then transferred to Halifax and was in charge of Investigation Section. Macdonald retired as Staff Sergeant in 1971 and was appointed as Founding Director of Atlantic Police Academy in Charlottetown.
After serving 6 years as Director of Atlantic Police Academy accepted the appointment of Chief of Police of Summerside, PEI. Served 14 years as Chief, retiring in 1990. During 1990-1995 did periodic Investigations for the Dept. of Federal Corrections. In 1997 was appointed as Chairmen of the PEI Liquor Control Commission where he served for 6 years.
He presently owns trains and recently drove Strandardbred race horses for the Royal Centurion Stables in DeSable, PEI.
Additional Info: WJR Macdonald:
Chief Macdonald was married to (late) Eileen MacArthur of Charlottetown; they had two sons Roddie and Dean. Roddie is now a Staff Sergeant, RCMP Halifax Drugs Section. Dean is a retired PEI Correctional Officer and owner of Eastern Alarms here on Prince Edward Island. He has 5 grandchildren and 1 great grand-daughter. A number of family members are present here today.
Along with Mac Macdonald is, Supt. Marty Chesser, OIC Musical Ride, Mac Macdonald, Cst. Kelli Gaudet, RCMP Summerside and Cst. Benny McGonnell who is originally from Georgetown, PEI and was a member of "L" Division until couple of years ago when he applied to go back on ride. He was on Musical Ride as a Junior Cst, a number of years ago.
Mac Macdonald taking the salute from Supt. Marty Chesser, OIC Musical Ride.