| Regimental number | 2728 |
| Place of birth | Bowral, New South Wales |
| School | Bowral High School, New South Wales |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Blacksmith |
| Address | Bowral, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Height | 5' 8.5" |
| Weight | 145 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, J J McDonald, Ravensworth, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Served in the Citizen Military Forces. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Warwick Farm, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 18th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/35/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 3rd Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Cross Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Died of wounds |
| Place of death or wounding | Peronne, France |
| Age at death | 23 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 23 |
| Place of burial | Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension (Plot I, Row C, Grave No 22), France |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: John James and Ida Emma McDonald, Bong Bong Street, Bowral, New South Wales |
| Medals |
Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer led the platoon of which he was in command in an operation against the enemy's position with great gallantry and skill, capturing his objective and holding it against five counter attacks. When the officer commanding the other attacking platoon was wounded, he took command of both platoons, and organized the defence. It was mainly owing to his courage and determined leadership that the position was held against all the attacks of the enemy.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 Date: |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 175 Samuel McDONALD |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Taken on strength, 3rd Bn, Tel el Kebir, 14 February 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 22 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 28 March 1916. Appointed Temporary Corporal, 7 August 1916; Corporal, 27 August 1916. On Command at 1st Australian Division School of Instruction, 25 September 1916; rejoined unit, 13 October 1916. Promoted Temporary Sergeant, 19 October 1916. On Command at No 6 Officer Cadet Bn, Oxford, 5 November 1916. Appointed 2nd Lt, 1 March 1917; proceeded overseas to France, 14 March 1917; rejoined 3rd Bn, 20 March 1917. To 2nd Army Musketry School, Tilques, 25 August 1917; rejoined Bn, 16 September 1917. Detached for duty with 1st Australian Division Reinforcements Camp, 25 September 1917. Promoted Lt, 30 September 1917. On leave to Paris, 3 November 1917; rejoined Bn, 9 November 1917. Wounded in action, 14 April 1918; remained at duty. Admitted to Officers' Rest Home, St Omer, 10 May 1918; rejoined Bn, 16 May 1918. Detached to 2nd Army School of Instruction, Wisques, 25 May 1918. Admitted to 17th Casualty Clearing Station, 31 May 1918 (influenza); transferred to 58th CCS, 3 June 1918; discharged to duty, 5 June 1918; rejoined Bn, 7 June 1918. Wounded in action, 18 September 1918 (leading his platoon near Hargicourt, France) (gun shot wound, chest); admitted to 55th Casualty Clearing Station, 18 September 1918; died of wounds, 19 September 1918. Awarded the Military Cross. Medals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
