In Memory

MacMillan, Alice Elizabeth (McNaughton) (14 May 24)

Fellow Horse Guards,

It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of another of our GGHG WWII Widows, Mrs. Alice MacMillan, who resided in McLennan, Alberta.

Too often, it is a returned newsletter or a bounced email that prompts a search—one that leads to the difficult confirmation of what we fear. We recently learned that Alice passed away on May 14, 2024. Though she lived far from Ontario, where her late husband, Edward “Ted” MacMillan, served with the Regiment during the war, she remained connected to us through Regimental Lines. Even as time took many of the friends she once knew, this newsletter remained a treasured link to the Regiment that meant so much to her family.

Alice was born on February 11, 1929, in Edson, Alberta, to Ed and Ruth McNaughton. In 1947, she married Ted in McLennan, Alberta, and together they raised two children, Donna and Ronald. Alice dedicated 30 years of service to the Toronto Dominion Bank before retiring, embracing a life filled with travel, golf, volunteering, and her involvement with the Royal Purple. Above all, she cherished time with her grandchildren, who adored her as much as she loved them.

She was predeceased by her parents, her daughter Donna, her brothers Francis and Edwin, and her beloved husband, Ted. On behalf of the Members of the Governor General’s Horse Guards Association, I extend our deepest condolences to her extended family, especially to her grandson Cameron—the family contact we had in our records.

To express how much her passing has touched me personally, I share the following message she wrote to me after I sent her a copy of our Regimental history book, Second to None. In the Spring 2021 issue of Regimental Lines, we published a photo of her husband boarding the ship to England in 1941. In response, Alice wrote:

*”Thank you for sending me the History of the Governor General’s Horse Guards, Second to None by John Marteinson. I am enjoying the read. I was in high school during the war, and in my class, we followed the war very closely. It has brought many memories back. My husband didn’t talk much—he told us more about the people, and the girls, of course.

Our grandson is a Vice-Principal at a high school, and each Remembrance Day, he takes his grandfather’s uniform and medals to the school service. This year, we will also take GGHG, Second to None.

I am enclosing the picture (pg. 20) of the Regiment boarding the boat for overseas in 1941. I’m not certain of the date. Edward (Ted) MacMillan is first at the top left-hand corner. Thank you again, I really appreciate Second to None.”*

Alice MacMillan
McLennan, Alberta

May she rest in eternal peace.

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