MACDONALD (MCDONALD), Alfred Robert
| Service Numbers: | 2411, VX101279, V145472 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 April 1915, Swan Hill, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Auxiliary Horse Transport Company/ies |
| Born: | Balranald, New South Wales, 31 March 1897 |
| Home Town: | Swan Hill, Swan Hill, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Natural causes, Swan Hill, Victoria, 1962 |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
Biography contributed by Victor Stewart
Embarkation Roll (www.awm.gov.au) has incorrectly spelled Surname MCDONALD
Alf in 1915 enlisted with the AIF for service abroad and saw action with the 5th Infantry Battalion in Gallipoli. On his return to Egypt, Alf joined the 57th Infantry Battalion on its formation at Tel-El-Kebir.
The 57th Infantry Battalion was raised in Egypt on 18 February 1916 as part of the doubling of the AIF. Half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 5th Battalion and the other half fresh reinforcements from Australia. In June 1916, the Battalion moved from Egypt to France as part of the move of the Australian Divsions to the Western Front. This led to Alf participating in some of the most significant actions on the Western Front involving Australian troops, including the battles of Fromelles (July 1916), Villers-Bretonneux (April 1918), Peronne (September 1918) and the Hindenberg Line (September 1918).
Alf was gassed during the legendary counter attack on 25 April 1918 by the 15th Brigade led by General Pompey that recaptured Villers Bretonneux and turned the tide of the War. He was wounded a second time in the Battle for St Quentin Canal on 29 September 1918.
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