Donaldson and Simpson Families, 1876-1935 : The Donaldson family was an old family from Brockville, Ontario. Various members served with Canada's military forces or with imperial forces. Anson Donaldson was born in 1876, and was studying medicine at McGill University when the South African War broke out. He served as a trooper in the Lord Strathcona's Horse, receiving the Queen's Medal with five clasps. Anson returned to McGill, and was awarded his degree in medicine in 1901. He also carried out post-graduate studies in Edinburgh, after which, he returned for military service in the Somaliland expedition. He subsequently served as medical officer with a mining company in German West Africa. Returning from Africa, Anson settled in Calgary where he set up a private medical practice and real estate business. When World War I broke out, Anson volunteered and was immediately appointed to the rank of Captain in No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance at Valcartier.
He sailed with the First Division in October 1914, and served the next five years in France, ultimately commanding No. 3 Field Ambulance. In May 1919, he returned to Canada and was placed in charge of the Canadian Military Hospital (Belcher Hospital) in Calgary. Anson later accepted an appointment to the Pacific fleet of Canadian Pacific Steamships, serving as surgeon aboard SS Empress of Russia and Empress of Japan, before being appointed Commodore Surgeon of the fleet. He died in 1935 in Hong Kong.
Charles Donaldson was born about 1879. He also served in South Africa from 1899 until April 1900, when he contracted Enteric Fever (typhoid) and was sent home. One of Brockville's top athletes at the turn of the century, Charles excelled in football, hockey, rowing, swimming and snowshoeing. He went west after the First World War, and settled at Sylvan Lake, Alberta. He was married to Emma Morency of Brockville and died in 1962.
Vernon Simpson was the son of Anna Maria (Donaldson) Simpson of Calgary. He served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force army from 1916 to 1919, and saw action as a machine gun officer in France during 1917-1918.
