Pte
James Hamilton McDonald
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 06/01/1895 |
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Place of birth: Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Wendon, Southland, New Zealand |
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Profession: Farmer |
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Religion: Presbyterian |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 32700 |
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Enlistment date: 27/07/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Trentham, Wellington, New Zealand |
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Units: — Otago Regiment, 1st Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 17/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Maple Leaf Cemetery, Romarin, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 22 |
Cemetery
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Maple Leaf Cemetery Plot: Unknown Row: J Grave: 2 |
Points of interest 5
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Camp | ||
| #5 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
James Hamilton McDonald was the son of Helen and George McDonald. He was born on 6 January 1895 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire. Before the war, he moved to New Zealand, where he lived in Wendon, Southland and worked as a farmer. James enlisted in the New Zealand Army and was part of 1st Otago Infantry Battalion (2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade, New Zealand Division).
James Hamilton McDonald was killed on 17 August 1917 at the Battle of Passchendaele. In early August, the 1st Otago Infantry Battalion supported the brigade with construction work and trench improvements. On 14 August, even the full battalion was deployed for heavy labours. On 16 August, the 1st Otago Infantry Battalion found itself near Warneton, where their camp came under heavy fire. That same day, the battalion moved into encampments near Canteen Corner. Overnight, 500 men from the battalion were deployed for work shift and 350 men were also deployed the following night.
James died at the age of 22 and was buried in Maple Leaf Cemetery.
James Hamilton McDonald was killed on 17 August 1917 at the Battle of Passchendaele. In early August, the 1st Otago Infantry Battalion supported the brigade with construction work and trench improvements. On 14 August, even the full battalion was deployed for heavy labours. On 16 August, the 1st Otago Infantry Battalion found itself near Warneton, where their camp came under heavy fire. That same day, the battalion moved into encampments near Canteen Corner. Overnight, 500 men from the battalion were deployed for work shift and 350 men were also deployed the following night.
James died at the age of 22 and was buried in Maple Leaf Cemetery.
Sources 3
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Byrne A.E., The Otago Regiment NZEF 1914-1918, (Uckfield: The Naval & Military Press Ltd), 198-199. Sources used |
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New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives New Zealand, Wellington (ANZ), R10923629). https://www.archives.govt.nz/ Sources used |
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War Diary of the 1st Otago Infantry Battalion , august 1917 (Archives NZ/WA79/box126/ R23625954). https://www.archives.govt.nz/ Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/487646 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=72e840a4-ffb2-480c-a31c-e909f85d6923 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7178660 |
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The NZEF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=165018 |