Dear Monument Australia visitors, we are a self-funded, non-profit organisation, dedicated to recording monuments throughout Australia. Over time the costs of maintaining this website have risen substantially (in fact they are probably larger than those of many companies who exist for profit). In the past we have borne all the costs associated with maintaining the website but we are now having difficulties in paying the monthly expenses.
30-November-2020 : We are aware that some organisations, individuals or companies may have received an email requesting donations to assist Monument Australia. These emails are not authorised by Monument Australia and we do not know the person who sent them. You should not make any payments to any bank account details in the email. We only use the Paypal “Donate” button on this webpage to accept donations.
If Monument Australia is useful to you, please make a donation to keep this historical and educational resource available. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Major General Sir Hector MacDonaldPrint Page 
The fountain commemorates Boer War hero, Major General Hector MacDonald, who committed suicide after a series of allegations about his moral conduct. The memorial was commissioned by the Caledonian Society and unveiled in 1907. The fountain was restored in 2014.
Hector Macdonald, a crofter`s son, began his military career as a private in the British army, and later became a Major General. Hector Macdonald fought in the Afghan war and both Boer wars. Distinguished himself when he saved the British army from total destruction at the Battle of Omdurman. Major General Sir Hector Macdonald KCB, DSO, ADC, LLD, or Black Isle born "Fighting Mac" as he was known, shot himself in a Paris hotel in 1903, days before he was due to face court martial in Ceylon for homosexuality.
Whether Sir Hector had indulged in homosexual practices -- or whether the charges were part of a plot by the military establishment which had become jealous of a humble crofter`s son rising to such prominence -- has been the subject of debate for almost a century.
Location
| Address: | The Esplanade, Fremantle, 6160 |
|---|---|
| State: | WA |
| Area: | Foreign |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -32.057541 Long: 115.745111 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Fountain |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Military |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 25-March-1903 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 25-March-1903 |
| Designer: | Stead Brothers, Fremantle |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | 1907 |
|---|
Water fountain in memory of “Fighting Mac”.
Major General Sir Hector MacDonald.
Commissioned by the Caledonian Society for the sum of £80 in 1907.
Plans and specification were provided by Stead Bros, Fremantle.
2014 Restoration
Ironwork - Brad Jackson, Zen Ironwork, O`Connor
Stonework - Piere Caseliati, Fremantle
