| Regimental number | 3435 |
| Place of birth | Maunum |
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland |
| School | Christian Brothers College, (Catholic) Adelaide. |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Waggon builder |
| Address | Kenny Street, West Guildford, Western Australia |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 30 |
| Height | 5' 7.5" |
| Weight | 154 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Ethel May McDonald, Kenny Street, West Guildford, Western Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil; Enlisted and went to the Africa, in the Boer war, but did not see active service. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Perth, Western Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Sapper |
| Unit name | 6th Field Company Engineers |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 14/25/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sapper |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 4th Field Company Engineers |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Place of death or wounding | Syria |
| Age at death | 37 |
| Discharge date | |
| Family/military connections | Brother Archibald McDonald, killed in Gallipoli. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Fremantle, 23 November 1915. Transferred to 4th Divisional Engineers, Moascar, 6 March 1916; taken on strength of 4th Company, Tel-el-Kebir, 7 March 1916. Embarked Alexandria and proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force, 1 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 9 June 1916. Found guilty, 10 September 1916, of being absent without leave, 6.00 pm, 8 September 1916, to 9.00 pm, 9 September 1916: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2; forfeited total of 9 days' pay. Appointed Lance Corporal, 9 August 1917; promoted to 2nd Corporal, 10 August 1917; proceeded to Paris on leave, 13 January 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 23 January 1918; detached to Australian Corps School, 1 March 1918; rejoined unit, 23 March 1918. Found guilty, 24 May 1918, of being absent from 9.30 am parade: reprimanded for actions. Wounded in action, and admitted to 13th Field Ambulance, 4 July 1918, and transferred to 5th Casualty Clearing Station (shrapnel wound, left arm); to Ambulance Train '12', 4 July 1918, and admitted to 10th General Hospital, Rouen, 5 July 1918. Proceeded to England, 7 July 1918, and admitted to Southwark Military Hopital, East Dulwich Grove, 8 July 1918; transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 12 August 1918; discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 27 August 1918. Commenced return to Australia on HT 'Runic', 23 September 1918; disembarked Fremantle 17 November 1918. Discharged Perth, 26 October 1919. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, McDONALD Richard Alexander |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
