MacKay, Huntly Brodie (c. 1858 - 1891)

Huntly belonged to 'a good Highland family'. His early years were spent in Canada where he was admitted to the Royal Military College, topping his class in his final examination. He obtained a commission in the Royal Engineers on 25 June 1881. In 1884 he was appointed as a staff captain in the Bechuanaland campaign. Sent by the War Office to the West Coast of Africa, he supervised the erection of forts at Sierra Leone until 1889. He received the Distinguished Services Order for his part in the expedition to the Sulymah district.

He returned to England in poor health in 1889 but returned to Africa where he died the following year of West Coast Fever.

[Brief Biography compiled by Robin Hammond, January/February 2004]