Aug 24, 1896

Born in Millbridge, Tudor Township, Ontario to James and Sarah Matilda (nee Gunter) Donaldson

Dec 30, 1915

Attested into the 155^th Battalion in Madoc, Ontario 

Ø      Number 636140

Ø      Next of kin given as Matilda Donaldson, mother, Lake Geneva, Alberta

Ø      Previous occupation given as Telegraph Operator

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England 

On attesting he gave his birth year as 1897 

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Mar 29, 1916

Promoted to the provisional rank of Sergeant

Jun 8, 1916

Reverted to the rank of Private

Jun 16, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Embarkation Roll shows his rank as Private

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

Nov 11, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant without pay

Nov 15, 1916

Attached to the CAPC (Canadian Army Pay Corps), Liphook Detachment for duty

Nov 24, 1916

Transferred to the CAPC in London

Dec 8, 1916

Transferred to the 154^th Battalion in Bramshott but remained attached to the CAPC

Jan 31, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion in East Sandling, but remained attached to the CAPC.  Shortly after the formation of the battalion, it was moved to Seaford

Apr 12, 1917

Ceased to be attached to the CAPC and joined the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford. 

Jun 5, 1917

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 6, 1917

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion.  He reverted to his permanent rank of Private on joining the battalion

Jun 23, 1917

Left the CIBD and joined the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion in Hersin

Jul 21, 1917

A work party for the entrenching battalion came under an artillery barrage and Private Charles Donaldson was killed before having a chance to join the 21^st Battalion at the front.  He was buried in the Bully Grenay Communal Cemetery, Bully les Mines, France

Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his sister, Miss Grace M. Donaldson, Lake Geneva, Alberta

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. James Donaldson, at the same address

Although the CWGC shows his death as being on July 20, 1917, the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion War Diary records his death as being July 21, 1917, while on a working party on the outskirts of Lens along with Pte J Leach 59573, Pte J Krampe 412251, and Pte MW Lahey, 640004, all of the 21^st Battalion.  According to the Circumstances of Death file it would appear that the same shell explosion killed them all.

Charles Donaldson is honoured on the Bancroft, Ontario War Memorial