Donald Munro

Donald Munro (25 September 1832 - 18 May 1888) was a Scottish-born local politician and volunteer officer in the Mile End area.

Born in Tain, Ross-shire, Munro moved to London in the 1850s, establishing a linen drapery business in Whitechapel.

In 1858 he married Elizabeth Connaughton, daughter of a wealthy businessman. Munro was able to retire from business due to his wife's inheritance, and he become a "gentleman", living in Mile End Road.

In the same year he became director of the newly-built Pavilion Theatre, Whitechapel Road, the site being owned by his wife.

Munro also became a leading member of the various local government bodies in the area: he was treasurer to the Pavement Commissioners for High Street, Whitechapel, chairman of the Whitechapel Public Baths and Wash-Houses Commissioners, a member of the Mile End Old Town Vestry and the Whitechapel District Board of Works. From 1875 he was the district board's representative on the metropolitan Board of Works.

In 1861 Munro gained a commission as an lieutenant in the 7th Tower Hamlets Rifle Volunteer Corps, a unit of the Volunteer Force. He rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1883 when he became commanding officer of the unit, redesignated as the 2nd Tower Hamlets Volunteer Rifle Corps.

Munro subsequently moved to Chigwell in Essex, where he died aged 57. He was buried in the City of London Cemetery, Manor Park with full military honours.