Stories
A United States Military Man.
1902 --- 2003.
Donald MacWillie
was born on January 21st, 1909 in the interior of Central China at
WuChang, on the Yangze river. His ancestors were descendants
of John McWillie & Anna Ord of Botriphnie -parish, Scotland and
who's descendants had immigrated to Ontario, Canada in 1869. Donald's
father was born in Canada and trained as a Doctor, married a
Nurse in Canada, and travelled to China during the Boxer
Rebellion where they worked for an inland Mission as a Doctor and
a nurse.
Because of his
parents commitment to their work, Donalds education was left to his
Chinese nanny and servants. They taught him the Chinese culture,
it's history, and its values and the Chinese-Mandarin language.
His second language became English and was taught by his mother. While
a young boy his parents attempted to enter him into a British Boarding
School in China to further his education, but because he was a Canadian
citizens his application to the school was rejected. As
a result of that rejection his parents arranged to send Donald to
Kent School, in Connecticut, a Christian-based preparatory school
for boys and where his older brother John, was a junior. At
the age of twelve, Donald and his parents, boarded a steamship at
Shanghai and headed for Connecticut. After staying a month in
the township of Kent his mother returned to China. Unfortunately
for Donald and his brother John they were not to see their mother
again. Lotta MacWillie died in July of 1925.
1909 -- 2003
Donald continued on at Kent School for seven years and, although
he had some difficulties because of the culture shock and lack
of any English language training and the lack of emotional
support from his parents he did complete his education and headed
to NewYork city to seek employment. The great depression and
Donald both arrived in NewYork at the same time. As a result
he accepted any job he could find to support himself. He
also had encountered many other young men far less fortunate
that were having a very difficult time making a living.
During that period, to insure himself of some income, in June of 1931
he joined Squadron A of the New York National Guard, a horse mounted
military unit. During the years 1937, 1938 and 1939 he won,
Squadron A's Cavalry Challenge Trophy for outstanding horsemanship.
He attended every Olympic Equestrian event during the summer Olympic
games in Camberly, England and hosted the US equestrian team in his
home during Olympic month. Later in 1958 he purchased a horse
(Colonel Tom) from one of his students who was a descendant from "Man
of War". Donald loved that horse and his interest in horses
grew. Around the same time that Donald became interested in
horses he also discovered another interest which was to become the
love of his life. Donald had met "Ginny", Virginia Pauline Saxton
earlier, and over time they developed a relationship of
deep respect and love for each other.
Ginny and Donald were married in
December of 1934 and settled down in a one bedroom apartment at 60
East 96th Street which had just been vacated by the famous New York
bootlegger-gangster "Dutch" Schultz. After the marriage Donald, continued
his interest in horses and by 1962 began to teach two of his daughters
to ride and the many ribbons and Trophies in his home attested to
his teaching abilities.
