Wall of Service
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William Donald MacKinnon was born on September 24, 1895 in Mabou, Inverness County, Nova Scotia, the son of Neil and Margaret (MacDonald) MacKinnon. He went overseas with the 25th Battalion in 1915 and returned to Canada in 1919 with the rank of Lieutenant.
Mr. MacKinnon joined the Cape Breton Highlanders in June 1940 as a Captain, was promoted to Major and proceeded overseas on November 13, 1941. Because of his age, he and several other officers with the Unit returned to Canada in April 1942 when he was transferred to the Embarkation Staff.
He made several trips across the Atlantic as O.C. Troops and Ship, taking troops to England and bringing War Brides to Canada. He received the Canadian Efficiency decoration in September 1944. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1945 and retired from active service on August 7, 1946.
Mr. MacKinnon worked as a Welfare Officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs at Camp Hill Hospital until his death on December 20, 1957 from lung cancer.