[2] Ten thousand troops embarked at Quebec on this service, but on the convoy reaching the English Channel, they learned that the battle of Waterloo had been fought and won seven days previously.
At Argostoli, in the island of Cephalonia, he became acquainted with Lord Byron, who entrusted him with the three last cantos of Don Juan, to be delivered to Sir John Cam Hobhouse, a commission which MacDermott executed, having just then obtained leave of absence in order to visit England.
Five years later the Australasian Bank resolved to close their branch at Perth, Western Australia and offered MacDermott the Managership of that at Adelaide, which he accepted.
[2] In the year 1855 MacDermott offered himself as a candidate to represent the Noarlunga District, in the old mixed Council, composed of two-thirds elected members, and one-third nominees, but was defeated, and accepted a nomineeship.
[2] His long and honourable life was varied and eventful, and in compliance with the wishes of some members of his family, he three years later drew up a condensed account of his career, which was printed exclusively for the use of his relatives and friends and obtained by the South Australian Advertiser.