Macdonald, Hector Archibald (1852–1903)

British soldier, known as ‘Fighting Mac’. At 18 he enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders. He was taken prisoner at Majuba in the first Boer war (1881), but Joubert returned him his sword on account of his bravery. He routed the Mahdi's troops.at the Battle of Omdurman (1898).

He was born in Ross-shire, Scotland. He took part in the Nile expedition (1885) under Sir Evelyn Wood, and distinguished himself in the Dongola expedition (1896). In the Transvaal war of 1899, he commanded the Highland Brigade during the Paardeberg, Bloemfontein, and Pretoria campaign under Roberts. He was knighted in 1901.