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Feb 13, 1894
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Born in East Bay, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to
Daniel A. and Margaret (nee MacMullin) McDonald
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Oct 19, 1917
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Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act)
of 1917 held at Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
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Feb 27, 1918
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Conscripted into the 1st Depot
Battalion, NSR (Nova Scotia Regiment) under the MSA in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ø Number 3180625
Ø Next of kin given as Angus
McDonald, father, McLeod’s Hill, Whitney Pier, Cape Breton
Ø Previous occupation given as
Brakeman
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Roman
Catholic
Ø Posted to the 1st
Regimental Draft
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Apr 7, 1918
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Part of the 1st Regimental Draft
embarked the SS Metagama in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Apr 19, 1918
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Disembarked in Liverpool, England and transferred
to the 17th Reserve Battalion.
The draft proceeded to the Segregation Camp, Frensham Pond, Bramshott
to ensure there were no cases of Influenza in the group
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May 29, 1918
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Released from the segregation camp and reported to
the 17th Reserve Battalion in Bramshott
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Sep 11, 1918
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Transferred to the 85th Battalion
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Sep 13, 1918
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Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base
Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 85th
Battalion
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Sep 16, 1918
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After leaving the base depot, he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps
Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France
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Sep 19, 1918
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While still at the reinforcement camp, and before
he could join the 85th Battalion at the front, he was transferred
to the 21st Battalion
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Sep 20, 1918
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After leaving the reinforcement camp, McDonald joined
the 21st Battalion on the approach to the Canal du Nord on the
Arras – Cambrai Road and was posted to “D” Company
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Dec 13, 1918
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The 21st Battalion led the 2nd
Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the
Occupying Force and proceeded to Sieburg
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Mar 9, 1919
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Proceeded to Namur, Belgium on guard duty
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Apr 3, 1919
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Transferred to the Canadian Records List and
posted to the 25th Battalion in Auvelais, Belgium for the purpose
of returning to Canada
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Apr 8, 1919
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Embarked the SS Prince George in Havre, France
On arrival in England, he was attached to “J”
Wing in Witley pending return to Canada
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Apr 14, 1919
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Medical exam at Witley notes that he suffers from
Myopia and Astigmatism in left eye. He
claims to have had the problem since childhood
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May 10, 1919
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Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton
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May 16, 1919
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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May 25, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ø Rank on discharge Private
Ø War Service Badge Class “A”
issued number 218165
Ø Proposed residence on discharge
Whitney Pier, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Following his discharge, the British War Medal
and Victory Medals were sent to him at 42 Amelia St., Sydney, Nova Scotia
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Sep 27, 1921
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Married to Loretta Curry in Louisbourg, Cape
Breton, Nova Scotia
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Oct 17, 1928
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John Francis McDonald died in Sydney Mines, Cape
Breton, Nova Scotia
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