| Regimental number | 18 |
| Place of birth | Port Pirie, South Australia |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Address | Port Augusta, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 27 |
| Height | 5' 7.5" |
| Weight | 139 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Eliza Jane McDonald, Port Augusta, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Keswick, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Corporal |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, A Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Adelaide, 18 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 18 December 1915. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Posted missing, 20 July 1916. Now reported wounded in action and a prisoner of war, no date stated (shrapnel wound, right shoulder; bullet wound, right forearm). Reported as being held at Stendal, Germany, 11 September 1916. Struck off the strength of 32nd Bn, 20 October 1916. Transferred to Holland for internment, 13 June 1918. Arrived in England, 18 November 1918. On leave, 20 November 1918; granted extension to leave, 20 December 1918; granted extension to leave, 28 December 1918. Admitted to No 1 Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, 31 December 1918 (venereal disease, syphilis); discharged to Central Training Depot, Parkhouse, 2 January 1919; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 3 days. Marched into No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 11 April 1919. Married Eleanor Francis Foster at Wroughton, Wiltshire, 24 May 1919. Marched out of No 5 Group, Weymouth, 23 June 1919; marched into Central Training Depot, Parkhouse, 24 June 1919. Marched into No 2 Group, Sutton Veny, 8 July 1919. Marched out of No 2 Group to Australian Headquarters, 22 August 1919. On leave, 23 August 1919. Commenced return to Australia with wife on board HT 'Orontes', 25 October 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 4 December 1919; discharged Adelaide, 5 April 1920. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal Death not attributed to war service. |
| Date of death | |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, McDONALD Robert |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
