May 23, 1890

Born in Stornoway, Scotland

Mar 15, 1915

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Lindsay, Ontario 

Ø      Number 59616 (temporary number 1329)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Alexander MacDonald, mother, 7 Guershader, Stornoway, Scotland

Ø      Previous occupation given as Ship Fitter

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø      Assigned to the reorganized “C” Company

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to West Sandling, near Hythe, Kent

May 25, 1915

Awarded 10 days detention for drunkenness

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Feb 14, 1916

Granted 9 days leave

Feb 22, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Jul 22, 1916

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) which is a fever without a known cause

Jul 23, 1916

Transferred to No. 4 CFA

Jul 25, 1916

Transferred to the No. 2 Division Rest Station

Jul 29, 1916

Transferred to the rest station at Mont des Cats

Aug 1, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from hospital

Sep 15, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/Cpl Gould, 470723, who had been killed in action.

Dec 8, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA with a diagnosis that reads Myalgia in both legs

Dec 12, 1916

Transferred to the Division Rest Station at No. 4 CFA

Dec 15, 1916

Discharged from the Rest Station to duty

Apr 9, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant with pay to replace A/Sgt Dyer, 59284, who was killed in action.

May 9, 1917

On this date the 21^st Battalion was holding the front line northeast of Vimy Ridge along the rail line that runs from Lens to Arras when there was an exchange of artillery fire between the allied and the German artillery units.  Acting Sergeant MacDonald was 1 of 22 killed during that exchange and when the action had ceased, his body was 1 of 16 that could not be located.  Consequently he is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his sister, Mrs. A McKinnon, 7 Guershader, Stornoway, Scotland.

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Mr. AWC McDonald, at the same address.

There was no Memorial Cross issued as his mother died after his enlistment, but prior to May of 1917.