MACKECHNIE, Donald
| Service Number: | 523 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 7th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Oct 1914: | Involvement Sergeant, 523, 7th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 1914: | Embarked Sergeant, 523, 7th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne |
WW1
The details provided in the attached personal story were taken from the book "Just Soldiers" written by WO1 Darryl Kelly, published 2004, refer to chapter 21, pages 137 to 142.
Submitted 19 February 2020 by Maxwell HILL
WW1
Donald MacKechnie had sent 12 years in the British Army, serving with the Gordon Highlanders, seeing service in India and the Boer War. He enlisted in the AIF stating that he had a Victoria Cross. He was taken onto the strength of the 7th Infantry Battalion, and was promoted to his rank in the Brit Army, that of Sergeant. Unfortunately, he was a drunk and was frequently unable to do his duties. In March 1915 the Battalion had had enough and they charged him with drunkenness, reduced him in rank to Private. Soon after the Unit landed at Gallipoli. MacKechnie was wounded and was evacuated to a hospital ship and admitted to 2nd Aust Gen Hospital in Cairo. He needed specialist treatment he was to be evacuated to Australia. The subsequent medical board determined that he was to be discharged due to the wounds and bad health. One of the clerks handling the demobilisation sought advice re the Victoria Cross and the staff queried the Gordon Highlanders who advised that this soldier had NOT been a recipient of it. Donald was brought up to another enquiry, and when the info from the Gordons was revealed, he admitted that the info was correct. Subsequently, he was discharged in disgrace. He found life difficult and in 1917 he was admitted to the Ballarat Hospital for the insane. He died 18th May 1920 survived by his wife Edith.
Lest we Forget
Submitted 19 February 2020 by Maxwell HILL