Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Bennett a chimney sweep, born in the July quarter of 1861 in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire and baptised on the 26th September in St. Wilfrid’s Church, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire (son of George Bennett, 1831-1909 and Caroline Agnes Wood, 1840) and his wife Lucy Hannah Bennett (nee Franklin, married in the April quarter of 1883 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district) a stocking framework knitter, born in the April quarter of 1862 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire (daughter of William Frederick Franklin, 1832 and Elizabeth Goodman, 1829).
Hector MacDonald was born in the April quarter of 1900 in Wigston Magna, his siblings were William, a stocking framework knitter, born in the January quarter of 1887, Caroline (Carrie), a stocking framework knitter, born in the January quarter of 1884, Sydney George, born in the January quarter of 1889, Walter Clement, born in the April quarter of 1891, Annie, born in the October quarter of 1893, Ethel, born in the January quarter of 1896 and Florence (Flora), born in the January quarter of 1898, all his siblings were born in Wigston Magna, in March 1901 the family home was at 2, North Street, All Saint’s and St. Wolstan, Wigston Magna.
In April 1911 Hector was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Burgess Street, Wigston Magna, together with his father, a general carter, his mother and siblings, Walter, an assistant carter, Annie, a hosiery trade worker, Ethel, a biscuit packer, Florence a biscuit trade worker.
His older brother Walter fell in action on the 1st March 1917.
FAMILY NOTE: Hector also had an older sibling, Bertha, who was born and died in the January quarter of 1886 in Wigston Magna.
Hector enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 6th September 1916 in Toronto, Cnada, and was allotted the service number 273784. He gave his place of birth as Leicestershire, England, his next of kin was given as his mother, Lucy Hannah Bennett, residing at 711, Gladstone Avenue, Toronto, his date of birth as 3rd March 1898, his trade or calling as apprentice electrician and his marital status as single.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 18 years 6 months, height 5-feet 1¾ inches, chest measurement of between 30 and 33½ inches his complexion was described as medium, he had dark blue eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar above outside left ankle. He gave his religion as Methodist.
He was certified as fit for the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force. Date 6th September 1916. Place Toronto, Canada.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Toronto on the 6th September 1916 and recorded his birthplace as Leicestershire, England, declared age as 18 years 6 months, trade or occupation as apprentice electrician, that he was 5-feet 1¾ inches in height, weighed 95½ lbs, had a chest measurement of between 30 and 33½ inches and his physical development was described as fair. Marks indicating congenital peculiarities or previous disease, nil. Enlisted at Toronto, Canada on the 6th September 1916. Joined on enlistment 216th Battalion. Transferred to Reserve Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. Transferred to 1st Canadian D.A.C.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103) and various documents enclosed within his service record.
Embarked. From Halifax, Canada per S.S. Scandinavian. 18/4/17.
Disembarked. In Liverpool, England. 29/4/17.
Struck off strength. Of 216th Bn. Canadian Infantry. 30/4/17.
Taken on strength. Of 3rd Canadian Reserve Bn., West Sandling Camp. 30/4/17.
Transferred. To Reserve Bn. Canadian Field Artillery, West Sanding Camp. 20/6/17.
Transferred. To Canadian Reserve Artillery, Shorncliffe Camp. 21/6/17.
Taken on strength and absorbed in. 51st Brigade Canadian Reserve Artillery. Shorncliffe Camp. 22/6/17.
Struck off strength of. 51st Brigade Canadian Reserve Artillery. Shorncliffe Camp. 11/9/17.
Transferred. To 1st Canadian D.A.C., Witley Camp. 11/9/17.
Arrived C.G.B. Depot. Attached to Reinforcements 1st Canadian D.A.C. 13/9/17.
Left Base. For Canadian Corps Reinforcement camp. 4/10/17.
Arrived. At Canadian Corps Reinforcement camp. 5/10/17.
Joined. Column. In the Field. 5/10/17.
Ceases. To be attached to Column posted to Canadian Artillery pool. In the Field. 13/9/17.
Admitted. To 1st Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field. 26/11/17.
Admitted. To 56th General Hospital, myalgia. Etaples. 27/11/17.
Transferred. To 30th General Hospital, N.Y.D. Calais. 7/12/17.
Admitted. To 30th General Hospital, P.U.O. Calais. 8/12/17.
Reported. Dangerously ill. 9/12/17.
Condition slightly improved. 31/12/17.
Condition unchanged. 21/1/18.
Died. In the 30th General Hospital, 9.05am from ulcerative endocarditis. 31/1/18.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
MILITARY NOTE: Hector was born and officially registered at birth in the April quarter of 1900, this would make his age upon enlistment on the 6th September 1916 as 16 years and approximately 4 months, however on enlisting he gave his age as 18 years and 6 months.
[recognitum VIII-X-MMXXIII]

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Mother Lucy Hannah Bennett
Father William Bennett
Trade in 1916: apprentice electrician
Signed up for Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, 216th Btn on September 6th, 1916.