Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Adelaide born to Edith and William John Macdonald on the 4th March 1916, Don was one of two children, with a sister Iris. Don had just turned seven when his 42-year-old father, who worked in the Adelaide Cooperative Stores, died suddenly in the Parkwyn Private Hospital. He was interred in the Catholic Cemetery, West Terrace.
With the outbreak of WWII, Don and his friend Pat Haskard enlisted together on the 5th July 1940. Don was given the number SX7844 and Patrick SX7940 with both being allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Don had married Evelyn Maud Estella and nominated her as his next of kin. By this time his mother, Edith had moved to live in Melbourne with her daughter Iris.
For the new soldiers, initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before they headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for their preliminary training. Following leave, their 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. The rigorous training that ensued in Cyrenaica preceded the 2/48th Battalion going to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Aged 26 Don was killed in action in Egypt on the 16th July ’42. In the constant, bitter fighting at Tel el Eisa, strategic points continued to change hands. The 2/23rd, having gained West 24 immediately came under heavy sustained fire, causing them to withdraw. The 2/48th had control of East 24 but the shelling then turned to their A Company. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan describes the ‘great concentrations blotting out the whole company. One shell made a direct hit on the dug-out of Private D.W. McDonald and R.H. Merritt, causing the sides of their hole to cave in and bury them. Several men jumped from their holes in the midst of the exploding shells, and Captain Shillaker ordered a Red Cross flag to be flown. The German shelling stopped at once; this allowed a part of six men to commence digging to release their buried comrades. When the two men were unearthed, it was found that they had been killed by the explosion. It was not until the Red Cross flag had been lowered that the shelling recommenced.’
Mark Johnston in his recently published book Derrick VC in his own words gives Derrick’s diary entry for the 16th July.
“No change during the night. Jerry kept up his bombardment of 75mm and many anxious moments were spent by all, and each wondering how much longer before his dugout would be the receiver of one 75MM. We had been subjected to approx. 500 shells daily in our Coy area, and it wasn’t until 1500 hrs that we received our first fatalities by shell fire, they 2 in number Ptes MacDonald, & Merritt of C.H.Q., the latter being beyond recognition and was buried where he fell. Padre Archbold came over in the evening to pay last homage to yet another.”
Back home, the Chronicle reported Don’s death in August ’42 with SX8213 Sgt. Lester H. Johnson, 2/48th Renmark; SX8183 L/Sgt. Prime W. Willmott, inf., Adelaide.2/48th and SX6582 Pte. John K. O'Leary, 2/48th Eudunda who died of his wounds. Also listed were five from their sister Battalion, the 2/43rd. Initially Don was buried in the field but in March ’45 soldiers’ remains were reburied in a formal designated site. Don now rests in the El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt in Plot A IV, Row B Grave 14. His wife Maud (Evelyn) chose the inscription ‘Always in my memory dear. Ever remembered by his loving wife’ for his headstone.
Don now rests with 26-year-old SX8213 Sergeant Lester Johnson and 24-year-old SX7268 Private Aurndell D Watts from his Battalion as well as others from the 2/2nd, 2/3rd, 2/23rd 2/28th and 2/43rd plus an unknown soldier.
Don’s family and friends continued to remember him as did Sgt Patrick Robert Haskard SX7940 from the 2/48th Battalion. Pat survived the war and was discharged in December ’43.
Advertiser Friday 10 August 1942, MacDONALD. —On July 16. Pte. D. W. Mac Donald killed In action In Egypt, loving husband of Maud MacDonald, of 54 Norman St Adelaide. His duty nobly done. MACDONALD.—On July 16. Pte. Donald William Macdonald killed In action in Egypt, dearly beloved only son of Edith Macdonald, of Melbourne, and the late William Macdonald of Adelaide and loving brother of Iris. Aged 26 years. His duty nobly done.
Advertiser Friday 16 July 1943, MACDONALD. Donald William. -A tribute of memory to Don killed in action, July 16th Egypt. Ever remembered by sister Iris and family. MACDONALD—In memory of Don killed in action overseas July I6 1942 His duty nobly done. Inserted by Gladys, Hughie, Betty. MACDONALD In loving memory of Pat’s pal, Don killed in Egypt July 16. His duty nobly done. Inserted by Mrs Robert Haskard, Mary and Maude. MACDONALD. -In loving memory of my pal, Don. killed In Egypt. July 16. One of the best.—Always remembered by Sgt. P. Haskard (A.1.F. returned) MACDONALD.—In loving memory of my dear husband Don killed in action July 18 1942, at El Alamein. Thoughts drift back, to bygone days, Life moves on but memories stay. Ever remembered by his loving wife Maud. MACDONALD. —In loving memory of my dear son. Pte. Donald William Macdonald who was killed in action at El Alamein on July 16 1942.—Loved and remembered always by his mother and sister Iris.
Advertiser Monday 17 July 1944, MacDONALD.—In proud memory of Don, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, July 16, 1942-Always remembered by Gladys, Betty, Hugh, Sam. MacDONALD, 2/48.—In loving memory of my dear husband Don, killed in action, El Alamein, July 16, 1942. Time goes on, but memories stay.—Ever remembered by Maud. MacDONALD.—In fond memory of dear Don, killed in action, July 16, 1942 In God's keeping.—Always remembered by mother-in-law.
Advertiser Monday 16 July 1945, MACDONALD. —Treasured memories of dear Don, killed in action July 16. 1942 at El Alamein. Memory is one thing death cannot sever, for that will last and live forever. —Ever remembered by his loving wife Maud. MACDONALD. —In loving memory of my dear brother Donald, killed in action Middle East, July 16, 1942.—Remembered always by his sister Iris and family. MACDONALD. —a tribute to the honor of Don, killed in action July 16. 1942 at El Alamein.—Always remembered by Glad, Betty, Hugh. MACDONALD. —In sacred memory of Don, killed in action July 16 1942, at El Alamein. Resting In a soldier's grave honored with Australia's brave. —lnserted by loving mother-in-law.
Advertiser Tuesday 16 July 1946, MACDONALD. —In loving memory of my dear husband Don, killed in action at EI Alamein July 16. 1942. As you rest ln peaceful sleep Your memory I will always keep. —Ever remembered by his loving wife Maud. MACDONALD, Donald.—In memory of dear Don, —Inserted by mother-in-law, E.A. Dickenson.
Advertiser Friday 16 July 1948, MacDONALD In sacred memory of Don, made the supreme sacrifice at E Alamein. July 16 1942. —Ever remembered by Gladys, Elliott and family. MACDONALD. —Loving memories of dear Don, killed In action. July 16, 1942. at El Alamein. A beautiful life came to an end.—inserted by mother in-law. MACDONALD. —In loving memory of Don, killed July 16 1942 at El Alamein. Time cannot make your memory fade. —Always remembered by his wife Maud.
Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.