On most summer Sundays, Michele Facchini would typically not be found in the hot fields northwest of Ravenna, Italy, using a metal detector. However, on a particular Sunday, he discovered a connection to Cape Breton’s Hector McDonald, a soldier who perished in 1944. Facchini, a researcher and educator on Second World War history, usually spends weekends at home reading Canadian soldiers’ diaries and studying battle maps. On a cool July 6, he ventured to the outskirts of Russi, near the Lamone River, where Canadian troops had fought in December 1944 to expel Nazi forces from northern Italy. While exploring the area, Facchini’s metal detector signaled the presence of bullet remnants and shrapnel from high-explosive bombs. The landowner then presented him with objects found on the property, including a duffel bag with the name and regiment number of Hector McDonald.
This accidental discovery brought to light a long-forgotten story, reconnecting McDonald with his family. McDonald, a lance-sergeant from Cape Breton, had a notable military career, participating in various battles during the Italian campaign. Tragically, he met his end on December 13, 1944, when he stepped on a landmine near the Lamone River. Despite his heroic sacrifices, McDonald’s personal life also came to the forefront. He was engaged to Elizabeth Wales, a Scottish woman, his wartime love interest. Efforts to locate Wales’ family have so far been unsuccessful.
Facchini and Mariangela Rondinelli, a war history expert, are part of a group dedicated to documenting and honoring the Canadian soldiers who fought in Italy. Rondinelli’s extensive research efforts led to the discovery of McDonald’s great-grandniece, Kim Pyke, a Canadian military veteran. Pyke’s daughter, Stacey Jordan, participated in a local ceremony in Russi to honor her great-uncle Hector McDonald and accept the duffel bag found on the farmland.
The emotional significance of this discovery resonated deeply with McDonald’s descendants, with many still residing in Glace Bay, near Hector’s former home. The unearthing of the duffel bag coincided with a school project about McDonald undertaken by another young relative, Cain Riswold McDonald. The find served as a poignant reminder of Hector McDonald’s sacrifice and bravery, underscoring the enduring relevance of his story.
