| Regimental number | 1678 |
| Place of birth | Yetminster, Dorset, England |
| School | Boyle's Endowed School, Yetminster, Dorset, England |
| Age on arrival in Australia | 34 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 37 |
| Height | 6' 0" |
| Weight | 180 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs A McDonald, Yetminster PO, near Sherber, Dorset, England |
| Previous military service | Served as Bugler for 6 years in Marine Light Infantry; invalided out. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Hamilton, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 7th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/24/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A54 Runic on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 59th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death | 41 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 41 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 17), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 161 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Martha SMITH (formerly McDONALD and the late Donald MCDONALD; husband of Martha HARDIND (formerly McDONALD), Buster End, Yetminster, Dorset, England |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Joined 7th Bn, Gallipoli, 8 May 1915. Admitted to 2nd Field Ambulance, 28 September 1915 (influenza); transferred to No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital, Lemnos, 28 September 1915; discharged to duty, 23 October 1915; rejoined Bn, Sarpi Camp, Lemnos, 24 October 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, 7 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Transferred to 59th Bn, 24 February 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Reported Missinhg, 19 July 1916. Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 29 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'. Handwritten note on Form B103: 'Presumed Buried in No Man's Land at approx 5J90.43 to 5K02.5.1 Sheet Hazebrouck 5A'. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, McDONALD Ronald |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
