Jan 28, 1896

Born in Montreal, Quebec

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59709 (temporary number 899)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Mary Taylor, mother, 443 Wellington St., Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Shipping Clerk

Ø  Previous military experience given as 43^rd Regiment DCOR (Duke of Cornwall’s Own Rifles)

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to “H” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “D” Company

The 21^st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

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

Jul 6, 1915

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Canadian Hospital in Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads Ptomaine Poisoning

Jul 10, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Aug 25, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), sometimes referred to as Trench Fever.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 12 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) before being transported to the No. 15 Casualty Clearing Station

Sep 7, 1916

Discharged to duty and rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Rubempré, France

Sep 15, 1916

During the attack on the sugar factory south of Courcelette, France, Private McDonald suffered the effects of Shell Shock and was evacuated to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance before being transported to the nearby casualty clearing station

Sep 19, 1916

Transferred to the No. 8 Canadian Field Ambulance

Oct 10, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Fieffes, France

Nov 7, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Dec 7, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

Dec 17, 1916

When Private McDonald did not return from leave, he was declared to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Jan 15, 1917

Admitted to the Canadian Military Hospital in Etchinghill, Lyminge, England with a diagnosis of VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea).  He was charged with being Absent Without Leave

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Apr 13, 1917

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Apr 25, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 26, 1917

Taken On Strength the battalion on arrival at the base depot in France

May 5, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private McDonald rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting west of Thelus, France

May 16, 1917

Admitted to the No. 7 Convalescent Depot for treatment of his Gonorrhea infection

May 17, 1917

Transferred to the No. 39 General Hospital in Havre, France for additional treatment for his Gonorrhea infection

Jul 7, 1917

Discharged from hospital to the base depot in Etaples

Jul 10, 1917

Posted to “A” Company at No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Aug 4, 1917

Admitted to the No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples for ongoing treatment for his Gonorrhea infection

Sep 26, 1917

Discharged from hospital and reported to the No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples

Sep 30, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Villers au Bois, France

Nov 7, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Feb 1, 1918

Attached to the 4^th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery for duty

Feb 23, 1918

Ceased to be attached and rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the Alberta Camp, near Carency, France

Feb 27, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Mar 18, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Mar 29, 1918

On the night of March 29/30, the 21^st Battalion moved into the front line north of Mercatel, France and Private McDonald received a shrapnel wound to his hand and was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 8 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Mar 31, 1918

Transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 32 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France

Apr 1, 1918

Transferred to the No. 10 Convalescent Depot to recover from his wound

Apr 9, 1918

Discharged from hospital care and proceeded to the No. 5 Rest Camp, north of Etaples

Apr 12, 1918

Reported to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France

Apr 16, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France as part of a draft of 9 reinforcements destined to join the 21^st Battalion

May 15, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private McDonald rejoined the 21^st Battalion at the front near Mercatel, France

Aug 8, 1918

During the advance on Marcelcave, France, Private McDonald received a shrapnel wound to his left arm that caused a compound fracture.  He was evacuated to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station

Aug 11, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Panama

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Southwark Military Hospital, Dulwich Grove, London

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot for pay purposes while in hospital

Aug 22, 1918

Surgery performed to remove a piece of shrapnel from left wrist

Oct 18, 1918

Additional surgery performed to repair damage and remove another piece of shrapnel from left wrist

Nov 26, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

X-Rays taken show metal fragments remain in his left wrist

Jun 13, 1919

Attached to “M” Wing in the CCC (Canadian Concentration Camp) in Witley pending return to Canada

Jul 2, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

Jul 8, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength Military District No. 3 Sub Depot

Jul 11, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 382457

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge, General Post Office, Ottawa, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 665 Somerset St., Ottawa, Ontario

Jan 22, 1963

William Charles McDonald died while a patient of the National Defence Medical Centre, Ottawa, Ontario and was buried in the Christ Church Anglican Cemetery, Carp, Ontario