Ronald Ian MacDonald
Location:
St Columba’s Episcopal Church
Somerled Square,
Portree
Isle of Skye
IV51 9EH
Details on cross:
Carved lettering on the Celtic circle, the shaft and the cross beam form:-
“TO THE MEMORY OF CAPT. THE HON. R. I. MacDONALD.
CAMERON HIGHLANDERS.
ATTD. I.B.D. CHERBOURG
DIED 17.1.18”
Text type: Carved lettering
NB A very ornate cross in the Celtic style. There are no GRU-type markers present, but at the top of the shaft there is the mark and nail holes of where you’d normally expect a “G.R.U.” plate. It is in the position and the size of such markers.
Cross dimensions
Shaft Height: 1375mm
Cross beam width: 750 mm
Width of wood: 100 mm
Thickness or depth: 62 mm
Circle plate (if celtic type) 320mm diameter; 50mm width; 25mm thickness
Square plate (if supported)
Other information
Mounting to wall: Freestanding mounted on a wooden cross with angled supports and square feet. The wood used in the mounting is different to the cross and measures 50mm by 25mm by 650mm.
Detailing:
Ornate carved letters with fleur-de-lys ends to the cross beam and the top of the shaft. It has been varnished dark brown. The shaft and beam are lightly chamfered on the long edges.
Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage): None, but would have been removed/covered by the varnishing
Surface insertion depth (into ground if apparent): ditto
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Varnished
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): Very good
Other information, notes and observations:
CWGC index shows:
MacDonald The Hon Ronald Ian;
Captain, Cameron Highlanders 3rd Bn
Attd as Staff , Infantry Base Depot, Cherbourg
aged 34,
date of death 17 October 1918
Legion of Honour Son of 6th Baron MacDonald of Slate and Baroness MacDonald of Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye , husband of the Hon Mrs Helen Elizabeth MacDonald of Frilsham Home Farm , Yattendon , Berks
Grave B.1. Tourlaville Communal Cemetery and extension France
Survey, research and photographs courtesy of Scott Galloway with thanks to Richard Galloway
Date of survey: 17/10/2016
