Brigadier-General James Howden MacBrien

1. Major (Army).
2. Brigadier-General, 12th Infantry Brigade, Infantry (Army). 1916-02-18 to 1918-09-28
3. Lieutenant-Colonel, 1st Canadian Division (Army). 1915-09-12 to 1916-01-17

James H MacBrien graduated from Port Perry High School in 1896 and got his first job as a Bank Clerk at the Western Bank in Port Perry then joined the NWMP in 1899 to go to the South Africa War. At the outbreak of WW1 in 1914 MacBrien was a Major attached to the British War Office and MacBrien went to France with the First Canadian Contingent. This Attestation form is dated 29 Jan 1916. Since 17 Jan 1916 MacBrien was a Lieutentant Colonel and Assistant Quartermaster General. MacBrien commanded the 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade on 1 August 1919 and by 29 Feb 1920 he was a Major General and at 42 years of age the youngest Chief of General Staff. From 1923 until he retired from the Military in 1927 J H MacBrien was a Major General and the first Chief of the General Staff. On 1 August 1931 Major General ( Ret) J H MacBrien founded the Canadian Aviation League. In 1926 at the age of 48 Major General James MacBrien enrolled in Flying Training at Camp Borden and became a fully qualified Military Pilot.

J H MacBrien was the 8th Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from 1931 until his death in office on 5 March 1938.

Major General Sir James Howden Mac Brien KCB CMG DSO and Bar CStJ started his Military career as a Private with the 34th Ontario Regiment in 1878, was with the NWMP in 1900 then the South African Constabulary then back to Canada in 1906 to marry his High School sweetheart Nellie Louise Ross. James transfered to the Royal Canadian Dragoons where by 17 Jan 1916 he is a Lieutenant Colonel and Assistant Quatermaster General. MacBrien served in France with the 1st Canadian Contingent and by 1916 was a 38 year old Brigadier General.

Sir James Howden MacBrien is buried in Ottawa Beechwood Cemetery Section 63 Lot 1