Illustrated Chronicle

Illustrated Chronicle

Newcastle Journal Saturday 21st October 1916

The family in 1901 were residing at 23 Wesley Lane, Felling, Gateshead, Durham, with James Stanley McDonald, born in 1898, Edward's younger brother. Both boys were educated at the High Felling Council School.

Edward Scott McDonald enlisted at Felling, in to the Territorial Force on the 11th May 1914 and was allocated the service number of 2098. He enlisted for 4 years.

Edward was employed at the Heworth Coal Company as a putter.

On the outbreak of war he was at Gateshead with the rest of his Battalion.

He was initially in the 5th Battalion Volunteer Durham Light Infantry. [In 1908, as part of the Territorial Forces Act, the 3rd and 4th battalions exchanged numbers and were recast as the 3rd (Reserve) and 4th (Extra Reserve) battalions in a draft finding role. The 1st to 5th Volunteer battalions were renumbered as the 5th to 9th battalions Durham Light Infantry of the Territorial Force. The 5th formed part of the York and Durham Brigade and the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th battalions forming the Durham Light Infantry Brigade (eventually the 150th (York and Durham) Brigade and 151st (Durham Light Infantry) Brigade respectively of the Northumbrian Division when the territorial formations were given numbers in April 1915].

His initial attestation papers describe him as 5 feet 4 1/4 inches high, brown hair, blue eyes with a 'Fresh' complexion. Age 19 years and 2 months.

Because the Territorial Force Battalions were disembodied. His new service number, due to renumbering, was now 204472. [Army Council Instruction 2411/1916], and he was embodied into the 1/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. This took place on the 27th June 1915.

The 1/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry landed at Boulogne on the 17th April 1915. On the 14th May 1915, the Battalion became part of the 151st Brigade in 50th (Northumbrian) Division.

Edward embarked from Southampton on the 27th June 1915 and disembarked at Rouen on the 28th June. He then left base Depot and joined in the field on the 10th July 1915. He was suffering from Shell shock on the 24th February whilst with the 1/9th Battalion, and was admitted to the No 6 Stationery Hospital at Frevent. He re-joined his unit on the 11th March 1916.

He was again wounded by a Gun Shot Wound to the Left Leg (another report says right leg) on the 3rd April 1916, admitted to the 17th Casualty Clearing Station at Hazebrouck. At the same time he also contracted pleurisy on the 10th May 1916.

He re-joined his unit on the 3rd June 1916.

On the 16th September he was wounded again, with a Gun Shot wound to his Right Buttock, and was sent to the 13th Casualty Clearing Station. On the 24th September he was admitted to 23rd General Hospital at Etaples.

Edward then when recovered was transferred to the 1/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. 28th September 1917, was admitted to the 1/1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance for treatment to his right leg. Returned to his unit October 1917. In February 1918, he suffered concussion from being buried by an artillery barrage, and was sent to the 1st Northern General Hospital at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

He returned to his unit 28th February 1918.

Edward then was granted leave for 14 days to England. From the 1st March 1918 to the 15th March 1918.

On the 11th April he was in the 17th Casualty Clearing Station before being admitted to the No 22 General Hospital at Camiers. Returned to his unit on the 11th May, Edward was reported missing, this time he had a Gun Shot wound to his right hand. Returned to No 5 General Hospital at Rouen for treatment on the 1st June.

He then was posted to the 5th Reserve DLI Battalion and in July was posted back to the UK at Catterick Camp.

He was demobilised on the 8th January 1919.

After the war (October 1936) Edward wrote a letter to the War Office at Walworth asking for his Discharge papers, he was residing then at 2 Wellington Street Felling-on-Tyne. The War Office responded by sending him only a few documents B120, [Regimental Conduct Sheet], B121, [Conduct Sheet], B122, [Company Conduct Sheet], and a B103. [Casualty Form]. Also included was an AFB 108D [Certificate of Discharge]and AFB 108E.

On his Medical report paperwork [B178A], given to him on demobilisation, there is a statement about his hand, which reads:- Edwards right hand has been under treatment from 27th May 1918 till 9th December 1918. The Hand is now healed-The grip of hand is normal.

His conduct sheet {B122} shows two reports, whilst at Scotton Camp at Catterick, he overstayed his leave by 6 days resulting in 14 days deduction of Pay, and also being absent without leave from a Military Tattoo for two days, 15th November to the 17th November 1918. 4 days confined to Barracks and 2 days pay forfeited.

He is remembered at Felling on F32.07 and F32.23

Footnote:- Both brothers are remembered on the War Memorials listed above.