Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Michael McDonald, born in Gladesville, Sydney, was orphaned at the age of 11 after the death of his parents James and Kate McDonald. He and his two brothers Jeremiah Buckley and J Beattie, endeavoured to seek their fortunes in the Northern Territoy shortly after the death of their parents. James became a carpenter until the age of 25 where he and his two brothers embarked from Darwin aboard "Taiyuan" on the 4th of March to enlist in Townsville. He had no wife and family, besides his two older brothers who were applying to fight in the war against the Germans, which may have influenced him to enlist too. 

James was assigned to the Australian Army's 9th Infantry Battalion, whereas his older brother Jeremiah Buckley was assigned to the 25th and J Beattie is unknown. The 9th Infantry Battalion unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, aboard HMAT A63 "Karoola" off to war the same day James was promoted to Private. In March 1916, the unit sailed for the Western Front. A month later, James was promoted to Sergeant. The 9th Infantry Battalion made their first major attack in France at the village of Pozières in the Somme valley. The unit atacked on the extreme right of the line and the result of their bravery in this costly fighting was the British in possession of the plateau north and east of the village. 

A year before this brutal attack, James lost his older brother Jeremiah, who died in battle. This could have potentially driven and inspired James and his comrades to fight as bravely as they did to secure the plateau north and east of the village. During this battle, James was wounded and intoxicated by the deadly gases thrown from the opposition and spent 27 days in hospital recovering from the incident. After returning to the battlefield, James was again returned to hospital after being wounded and intoxicated by the posionous gases three months after his previous visit. 

Besides James' incidents where he was sent to hospital, he showed his courage and true strength after he and the 9th Infantry Battalion fought at Ypres in Belgium before returning to the Somme for winter. In 1917, the 9th Infantry Battalion moved back to Belgium for the advance to the Hindenburg Line.

 James was a frequent correspondent to the NT Times and Gazette during the war. On 21 June 1917 he had a letter published which read in part:

"A few days ago I had the pleasure of viewing an old front line of Fritz's [Germany], and after looking at it, I don't wonder that Fritz go out of it. The ground on both sides is simply torn to pieces, and one would think a lot Chinese fossickers had been at work. I don't think life was possible in that trench under our fire.

I don't think this scrap will last much longer, but of course one can never tell what is going to happen at this game. Still, we have old Fritz on the run now, and he'll not get any peace until he puts his hand up. Well, I think I will close now. There is a bit of strife on outside and I want to have a look see." 

In March and April 1918, the 9th Infantry Battalion assisted and helped stop the German Spring offensive. It was in this attack that James was intoxicated by poisonous gases for his third time and was sent to hospital for 11 days until he recovered and was strong enough to continue fighting alongside his comrades.

The 9th Infantry Battalion participated in the great Allied "Push" of 1918 and fought near Amiens in August. The advance by the British and Empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as "the black day of the German Army in this war". The battle consisted of a force of 75,000 men, more than 500 tanks and nearly 2,000 planes. The result of this brutal war was 27,000 casualties. James and his comrades not only bravely fought in this battle, but helped save the village of Villers-Bretonneux and Amiens alongside the other brave Australian soldiers.

James McDonald returned to Australia on the 21 of March 1919 aboard the "Kildonian Castle". After the war, James was presented with the  Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal for his courage and skill in war at 29 years of age.

After fighting in the war for four years, James was involved with the construction of the Katherine railway bridge (Northern Territory), became the President of the Returned Services League for a year, and served in WWII at the age of 49 within Australia in Darwin in the Royal Australian Army Service Corps. This position held the responsibility for the armed forces functions of transport, air dispatch and postal functions. 

James McDonald became a lighthouse keeper at Cape Don for six months, and eventually was the caretaker of the RSL in Darwin from 1946. He died on the 21 November 1951 at 61 years of age at Pine Creek and is buried in Katherine. 

James is an influencial figure who never gave up and was determined to fight and honour his country. He is an admired role model to the Northern Territory defense force. His name shall forever be acknowledged and praised for his loyalty and courage. 

Contributed by Stephanie Scott as part of the 2018 Northern Territory Chief Minister's Anzac Spirit Study Tour.