Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur Edward McDONALD

Distinguished Conduct Medal & MiD

Action for which recommended.

'This man was Acting Sgt. Major during operations between May 1st amd May 10th when this Battery was in action in the Noreuil Valley.

During the heavy shelling which the Battery received especially on May 7th… Sgt McDonald had to be continually in the open assing (sic) Orders and by his fine example and boldness under heavy shell fire (even though part of the time suffering from slight shell shock) he greatly encouraged the working at the Guns.

This N.C.O has consistently done good work since. He has twice mentioned in Despatched (sic) at GALLIPOLI and his long continued good work deserves . it seems to me substantial recognition.

His name was submitted at the time for immediate reward, but a memo was received stating that his name had been noted and would be considered at the half yearly issue.'

William Napier, Brig- General R.A., G.O.C.R.A.1st Anzac.

Received 1/10/17 Passed 1/10/17

Summary of recommendation on AIF Project site  

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. When the battery was being heavily shelled, he was, although suffering from shell shock, continually in the open, passing orders, and by his courage and splendid example under heavy shell fire greatly encouraged the men working at the guns.                                   'DCM Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 137 Date: 30 August 1918 on page 1783 at position 12

Award: Mention in despatches: November 7, 1917

‘For distinguished and gallant service and devotion to duty for the period 26/02/17 to 20/09/17’.

MiD Source: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 18 April 1918 on page 842 at position 143

 Arthur McDonald was born in Eaglehawk. With the name McDonald being fairly common in the area it is difficult to find information detail that on how long the family had been in the district. He enlisted just weeks after the war had been declared and would have been in one of the first intakes into Victoria Barracks, on St Kilda Road.

He was 20 years of age, single and gave his mother as his ‘Nearest of Kin’ who was living in Fitzroy at the time.

Two months after enlisting Arthur was sailing in the first flotilla of Australian and British troops to war. Their destination was Europe to fight the Germans who had invaded Belgium and France, however, the journey would be halted at Egypt where the British High Command had a new mission for Australian and New Zealand troops to take the Dardanelles from the Ottomans and allow Russian and British ships easy access to the grain and oil of the lands north of the Black sea.

Arthur would be assigned to the Field Artillery Brigade in July 1915 on Gallipoli. He would survive a month of horrific conditions and heavy fighting on the Peninsula before being evacuated to the Greek port of Mudros on the Island of Lemnos suffering from Typhoid fever. He would rejoin his unit in late October and survive the final month on Gallipoli leaving with the formal evacuation in mid December 1915.

Back in Egypt recuperating with the AIF he was transferred to the 4th Division Artillery as part of a massive reorganisation of the AIF in February and gain promotion to Corporal and Sergeant all in one day on April 1, 1916.

The theatre of war for Arthur was now France. He would be involved in fighting throughout 1916-17, being promoted to Battery Sergeant Major (BSM) in late April 1917 and be awarded the DCM for May 1917 at the Second Battle of Bullecourt. He would also be Mentioned in Despatches for his gallantry over this seven month period. Arthur McDonald would survive the war and return to Australia in March 1918.

SERVICE DETAILS:

Regimental number: 1455

Place of birth: Eaglehawk Victoria

Religion: Presbyterian

Occupation on enlistment: Blacksmiths assistant

Address: 49 Chapel Street, Fitzroy, Victoria

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment: 24

Next of kin: Mrs S McDonald, 49 Chapel Street, Fitzroy, Victoria

Date of enlistment: 20 August 1914 at St.Kilda

Rank on enlistment: Gunner

Unit name: Field Artillery Brigade 2, Brigade Ammunition Column, 12th Field Artillery Brigade

Embarked: HMAT A27 Southern on 20 October 1914

Final Rank: Sergeant                 

Recommendations - Military Cross

Mention in Despatches (Altered from Military Cross)

Mention in Despatches

Fate: Returned to Australia 13 March 1918

Date of death: 6 April 1958

Place of burial: Fawkner Cemetery

The battle at Noreull Valley, France. May 7th 1917.

The second battle of Bullecourt was fought between May 3 – May 17, 1917 on the northern reaches of the Somme Valley.                     British and Australian gunners shelled the German lines virtually non-stop for days, the Germans retaliated often with gas shells. Heavy fighting took place over a week of fighting against one of the most reputable German Divisions, the Wurttembergers, but the AIF Second Division held its ground despite the failure of the British 5th Brigade.                                                                                     ‘After the Second Bullecourt, the generals certainly did appreciate the quality of Australian soldiers, though perhaps only independent observers understood that the Diggers had to overcome not only the dogged German enemy but the shortcomings of the British High Command.’[1]  

[1] Australians at War. Western front 1916-17. The Price of Honour. John Laffin. Time-Life Books, Australia. P. 135