Cecil Jack MCDONALD MC

Cecil Jack MCDONALD MC Update Details

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MCDONALD, Cecil Jack

Service Number:	2728
Enlisted:	31 August 1915
Last Rank:	Lieutenant
Last Unit:	3rd Infantry Battalion
Born:	Bowral, New South Wales, Australia, 27 May 1895
Home Town:	Bowral, Wingecarribee, New South Wales
Schooling:	Bowral Public School, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation:	Blacksmith
Died:	Died of wounds, France, 19 September 1918, aged 23 years
Cemetery:	Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, Picardie, France
Memorials:

World War 1 Service

31 Aug 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2728, 18th Infantry Battalion
2 Nov 1915:	Involvement Private, 2728, 18th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: ''
2 Nov 1915:	Embarked Private, 2728, 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Sydney
19 Feb 1916:	Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 3rd Infantry Battalion
27 Aug 1916:	Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 3rd Infantry Battalion
1 Mar 1917:	Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 3rd Infantry Battalion
30 Sep 1917:	Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 3rd Infantry Battalion
14 Apr 1918:	Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 33rd Infantry Battalion, Strazelle, Remained at duty.
18 Sep 1918:	Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 3rd Infantry Battalion, "The Last Hundred Days", Hargicourt, GSW chest.
19 Sep 1918:	Involvement Lieutenant, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 3 Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1918-09-19
24 Sep 1918:	Honoured Military Cross, For gallantry and devotion to duty in an operation near Strazeele on the night of 20 June 1918 he led his platoon forward and captured the poition allotted to him and he held it throiughout the day against five counter attacks. When the officer of the other attacking platoon was wounded he took command of both platoons and organised the defences and through courage, initiative and excellent leadership ensured the position was held. When the enemy heavily attacked his bombstop he lead a party forward and succeeded in driving them back.

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Biography contributed by Michael Silver

The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press reported on Saturday, September 28, 1918 that the sad news had come to hand on Tuesday evening that Lieutenant Cecil Jack McDonald MC, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. McDonald, of Bowral, had died of wounds in France on 19th September.

The news was received with profound regret by all who knew him. Only a couple of weeks ago his relatives and friends were rejoicing in the news that Lleutenant McDonald had been awarded the Military Cross for distinguished conduct, this honour coming as the climax of a brilliant military career, in which, during about two years active service, he had risen from Private to Lieutenant. To hear of his death so soon after the good news of his decoration seems particularly sad, and the sincerest sympathy is expressed for the bereaved family.

Prior to enlisting Cecil was extremely and deservedly popular in Bowral, and was beloved by all classes of the community. As a prominent member of the Bowral Football Club he was always regarded as one of the best 'sports ' in the team, and judging by reports received from returned soldiers, from time to time, the same reputation for square dealing and good fellowship which endeared him to his football comrades was also enjoyed in the more serious work of tne battlefield, where as a private he was esteemed by his officers, and as an officer was worshipped by those under his command.

Socially he was the best of good fellows. Deceased was 23 years of age, and was educated at the Bowral District School, where the flag was flown at half mast on receipt of the tidings of his death.

Source: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132968856

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