Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James McDonald McIntosh

James McDonald McIntosh was born on the 9th February 1895 at Christmas Town, via Rutherglen in North East Victoria. He was the fourth of eleven children to James McDonald McIntosh (1866 – 1939) and Francis Jane McIntosh (Nee Rooke) - (1872 – 1963). James, like many men at the time, worked as a gold miner prior to his military service. At the age of twenty years and eleven months, James, who was single, enlisted in the 1st A.I.F. at Wangaratta on the 7th February 1916.

He was initially assigned to N Company of the 4th Depot Battalion on the 10th February 1916 as a Private and his Service Number was 5061. On the 4th April 1916, he transferred to the Reserve Company at Broadmeadows. This was followed by his assignment to the 24th Battalion on the 11th April 1916. The 24th Battalion formed part of the 1st A.I.F.s 13th Reinforcements which included Private McIntosh. The Battalion sailed from Melbourne on the 28th July 1916 aboard (A32) HMAT “Themistocles”, arriving at Plymouth, England on the 11th September 1916. On the 16th November, 1916, Private McIntosh crossed the English Channel for France aboard the S.S. “Victoria”.

The 24th Battalion participated in the successful, but costly, second battle of Bullecourt in May 1917. The Battalion was then transferred to the Ypres sector in Belgium, and the 24th's major engagement there was the seizure of Broodseinde Ridge. The Battalion was involved in turning back the German Spring Offensive in April 1918. With the Allied Offensive of 1918, the 24th fulfilled supporting roles during the battles of Hamel. It was after this action that Private McDonald was wounded during a mustard gas attack on the 27th July 1918. He was invalided back to England on the 9th August 1918 and admitted to Graylingwell War Hospital, Chichester – England on the 11th August 1918. Following treatment for his gassing and then leave, Private McIntosh re-joined his Battalion on the 9th November 1918.

After the Armistice, Private McIntosh remained in France as part of the Occupation Forces with his Battalion. He was re-assigned as a “Driver” on the 24th January 1919 but returned to the rank of “Private” on the 24th March 1919. On the 24th April 1919, Private McIntosh departed France, arriving at Southampton, England on the 27th April 1919. He and his Battalion embarked at Plymouth, England on the 19th June 1919 aboard (A28) HMAT “Miltiades”, arriving at Melbourne on the 5th August 1919. Private McDonald was discharged from active service on the 20th September 1919.

Private McIntosh re-enlisted for part-time service in the “Volunteer Defence Corps” in WW2 and his Service Number was V377256. He served from the 27th March 1942 until the 10th October 1945.
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James McDonald McIntosh never married. He owned a Soldiers Settlement block in the Woolshed Valley below the township of Beechworth in which he made a living as a grazier. His final years were spent alone in a small wood-shed on a vacant house block at 23 Bridge Road, Newtown, Beechworth, Victoria. 3747. James McDonald McIntosh died on the 13th April 1982, aged eight-seven years. He is buried in the Beechworth Cemetery, Presbyterian Section A – Plot 673 and is interred in an unmarked plot in front of his parent’s grave. However, with the assistance from the McIntosh family and the support of the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Beechworth Cemetery Trust have been successful in having a full military grave approved and constructed for WW1 Veteran James McDonald McIntosh.
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For his service to his country during WW1, James McDonald McIntosh was awarded the following Military Medals:

1914 – 1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal