Donald Cameron remembered at West Highland Museum

A new exhibition on the achievements of Donald Cameron has opened at the West Highland Museum in Fort William to mark the 100th anniversary of the Commando's birth.

 

Hailing from Morar, Donald Cameron joined the army at 17 and trained as a Commando at Achnacarry in 1942 before fighting in the Second World War, including taking part in the D-Day landings at Sword Beach. A shrapnel injury to his head later in the war put him out of action for two months but he returned to action before the conclusion of the conflict.

 

After the war, Donald returned to Lochaber to live the rest of his days as a shepherd.

 

The exhibition, which runs until the end of 2023, is displaying many of Donald's war artefacts, including his medals and green beret. It was opened with a small family gathering on the morning of Saturday June 24.

 

"attachment_969823" "" "300"] Nine-year-old Hector McDade with the display about his great grandfather Donald Cameron, with whom Hector shares a birthday. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos

 

In attendance was Donald's nine-year-old great grandson, Hector McDade, whose birthday coincides with that of his great grandfather; Hector's father and Donald's grandson, Michael McDade; and Hector's grandmother and Michael's mother (Donald's daughter), Marian McDade.

 

Also present was Richard Sidgwick, who interviewed Donald about his life in 2012 for The Braes community newspaper.

 

As well as the artefacts on display, an interview with Donald Cameron can be found on the West Highland Museum blog, while recordings of Richard Sidgwick's interviews with Donald are on the museum's podcast page.