MCDONALD, Edward John
| Service Number: | 4738 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 November 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 25th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 30 December 1888 |
| Home Town: | New Farm, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 29 April 1949, aged 60 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Nov 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4738, 25th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 4738, 25th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: RMS Mooltan embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 12 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 4738, 25th Infantry Battalion, RMS Mooltan, Sydney | |
| 20 Aug 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 4738, 25th Infantry Battalion, 1st MD, Medically discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Private Edward John McDonald (Service No. 4738), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.
We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 23 September 2023, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army
Edward John McDonald was born on 30 December 1888 in Brisbane, Qld, to Thomas McDonald and Catharine McDonald (née Murphy). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Brisbane in March 1916 and was assigned to the 12th Reinforcements of the 25th Battalion. At the time, he was 28 years old, unmarried, and working as a labourer. Edward departed Australia on 9 April 1916 and, after initial staging and training in England, proceeded to France on 9 September 1916 to join the overseas campaign.
From late 1916 onward, McDonald experienced persistent health problems that significantly affected his wartime service. He was repeatedly hospitalised in France and England with various illnesses, leading to numerous admissions to major medical facilities such as Edmonton Military Hospital, the 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, and the 7th General Hospital at St Omer, along with transfers through multiple base depots and convalescent camps. Despite these setbacks, he periodically returned to duty, including during 1917, when he rejoined his battalion on several occasions.
By early 1918, his medical condition had deteriorated further, resulting in transfers through rest camps and medical depots at Boulogne, Havre, and Weymouth. On 13 June 1918, he was diagnosed with neurasthenia (nervous exhaustion) and assessed as unfit for further service. He was returned to Australia shortly afterward and formally discharged on 20 August 1918 as medically unfit.
Private Edward John McDonald died on 29 April 1949, aged 60, and was buried four days later in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. There is no evidence that he ever married or had any known children.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His and identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.
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