Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Shaw Rose Macdonald Captain 2nd Field Artillery Brigade

For such a young man, James Macdonald presented as an ideal candidate for a commission when he applied to the AIF in May 1915. James had been born in November 1894, probably in Charters Towers. His father, Alexander, had been immigration commissioner in Mackay before taking up positions as police magistrate and gold commissioner in a number of north Queensland towns.

James reported that his education consisted of four years at Bowen House School, two years at Brisbane Grammar School and one year of private tuition. By the time of his enlistment, James recorded his address as “Hillview”, Greenslopes, Coorparoo where his father also lived having retired from government service as the Under Secretary of Mines. Even though he was only 20 years old when he was commissioned, James had already had six years of military training with three years in the senior cadets and three years with Citizens Field Artillery, two of which as a 2nd lieutenant.

Unsurprisingly, James was granted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Australian Field Artillery on 15th July 1915 and three months later sailed for overseas on the “Persia” from Melbourne. By the beginning of September 1915, James was attached to Artillery Headquarters at Gallipoli but because there was little scope for massed artillery operations on the peninsula he was transferred back to Alexandria.

On 11th December 1915, James was admitted to the Cairo Auxiliary Hospital with jaundice and did not return to his unit until New Year’s Eve. In early April the unit arrived in Marseilles and then proceeded to Havre where they would take delivery of new 18 pounder field guns and limbers. On 16th May 1916 James was transferred to the 21st Field Artillery Brigade and the following month spent some time at the school of instruction for officers.

The 21st Field Artillery was engaged in a number of actions in 1916 including Pozieres and Bapaume. As the winter closed in James Macdonald was promoted to Lieutenant, whereupon he then spent three weeks at the Australian Gunnery School. Soon after arrival back with his unit, James was transferred yet again to the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade and was promoted to Captain.

The 2nd Brigade saw action during the retreat by the Germans to the Hindenburg Line in early 1917 before transferring to the Ypres salient where the battle of Messines kicked off what would become known as the Third Battle of Passchendaele. The battery diary records that German planes were being used as artillery spotters for counter battery fire. On 31st July 1917, James Macdonald was killed when an enemy shell targeted the battery he was commanding.

James was buried at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension about half way between Ypres and Messines. His father was quite anxious to receive any of his son’s personal belongings which took the authorities some time to send. Eventually, James’ father received several sealed trunks and a valise which contained almost a full uniform (including sword and scabbard) and personal toiletry items. Unlike ordinary soldiers, officers were expected to purchase their own uniforms, which explains why when an officer’s personal items were returned to next of kin, this included all uniform items, as this was considered personal property.

James’ father also received three photographs of his grave, once the war graves commission had finalised headstones; and his three medals, 14/15 Star, Empire Medal and Victory Medal.