MCDONALD, Walter
| Service Number: | 1188 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 January 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 55th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Paterson, New South Wales, Australia, January 1892 |
| Home Town: | Eungai, Nambucca Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Morpeth Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | 9 June 1964, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW METHODIST 4-16. 1. |
| Memorials: | Morpeth Public School Honor Roll, Morpeth War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 31 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1188, 36th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 1188, 36th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Beltana embarkation_ship_number: A72 public_note: '' | |
| 13 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 1188, 36th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Beltana, Sydney | |
| 16 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1188, 55th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD | |
| 15 Aug 1919: | Honoured Military Medal, Mont St Quentin / Peronne, For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack on ST DENIS WOOD, PERONNE, on 2nd September 1918. During the initial stages of the attack heavy Machine Gun fire was encountered. This man noticing this, with great courage and deliberation worked his way forward into a position from where, by sniping, he was able to place an enemy Machine Gun out of action, notwithstanding he was under observation of enemy snipers who continually fired at him. This soldier's action in silencing the enemy Machine gun enabled a Lewis Gun to be brought forward thereby greatly assisting the attack. Private McDonald's courage and disregard of personal safety during the operation was most noticeable and his actions throughout were a great incentive to his comrades. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Served bravely during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
61 years ago today, on the 10th June 1964, Private Walter McDonald M.M., 55th Battalion (Reg No-1188), labourer from Eungai, New South Wales and 37 John Street, Tighes Hill, N.S.W. (1920) and Hamilton?, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 72. METHODIST 4-16. 1.
Born at Paterson, New South Wales about 1892 to Hugh Alexander and Selina Annie McDonald from High Street, Morpeth, New South Wales; husband of Bertha McDonald nee Teasdale, married 1924, Adamstown, N.S.W., died 22.7.1990, age 85, sleeping here, Wal enlisted on the 31st January 1916 with the 36th Battalion at Eungai, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A72 Beltana on the 13th May 1916.
Disembarked Devonport, England 9.7.1916.
Admitted to hospital 11.8.1916 (sinus), 1.8.1917 (not stated), 11.1.1919 (not stated).
Granted leave to England from 17.12.1918 to 8.1.1919.
Awarded Military Medal (altered from Distinguished Conduct Medal) 4.9.1918.
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack on ST DENIS WOOD, PERONNE, on 2nd September 1918. During the initial stages of the attack heavy Machine Gun fire was encountered. This man noticing this, with great courage and deliberation worked his way forward into a position from where, by sniping, he was able to place an enemy Machine Gun out of action, notwithstanding he was under observation of enemy snipers who continually fired at him. This soldier's action in silencing the enemy Machine gun enabled a Lewis Gun to be brought forward thereby greatly assisting the attack. Private McDonald's courage and disregard of personal safety during the operation was most noticeable and his actions throughout were a great incentive to his comrades.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109.
Date: 15th September 1919.
Invalided to England 25.1.1919.
Commenced return to Australia 10.4.1919.
Wal arrived home invalided on the 31st May 1919, being discharged on the 16th July 1919.
Nothing located on Trove regarding enlistment, returning home, etc.
Mr. McDonald’s name has been inscribed on the Morpeth Public School Honor Roll and the Morpeth Soldiers' Memorial.
I have placed poppies at Wal’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Not officially commemorated.
Younger brother Hugh, born 21.8.1894, Patterson, New South Wales, motor mechanic from High Street, Morpeth, New South Wales and East Maitland?, N.S.W., enlisted 8.1.1916, 34th Battalion, Reg No-507, wounded in action - 9.6.1917 (GSW left hand, wrist, fractured ulna, severe), 6.4.1918 (GSW left wrist & hand, severe), RTA 28.9.1918, died 30.5.1969, age 74, also resting at the cemetery, ANGLICAN 1-71. 15, not officially commemorated.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered“.
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/.
Lest We Forget.
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