Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Graham McDonald, one of 9 known children, was the youngest of 4 brothers and had 3 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father Henry McDonald was born in 1825 in Scotland as was his mother Rachael Irving in 1848 at Canonbie, Dumfriesshire and his eldest brother William Henry in 1873, they had transferred to Cumberland, England, a year later. Their daughter Margaret was born at Bewcastle in 1874, Gavin and John Joseph known as Joe, in 1877 and 1878 respectively in the parish of Brampton, where the family were living at Townfoot near Alston in 1881 as Henry was employed as a farm servant. Over the next ten years Rachael gave birth to a further 4 children, Mary 1882, Elizabeth Ann known as Lizzie 1884, Thomas Graham 1886 and Isabella Jane in 1891. Eldest son William Henry had joined his father as a farm servant by 1891, whilst the younger children of school age were being educated. The McDonald’s youngest child Violet Ethel was born in 1896, in the census of 1901 only Henry McDonald seems to be employed, working as a general labourer.
In 1901 Thomas Graham was 15 years of age, his father Henry died in 1904 and he later took the decision to leave his family and home at Townfoot, Cumberland. Having migrated to the north east of England he was married in the district of Castle Ward, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, in 1908 to Mary Watson born November 18th 1888 at Stamfordham, Northumberland, where they settled and their son Joseph Henry McDonald was born, June 18th 1908. By the time their son Jack McDonald was born, June 13th 1910 they had moved to Westerhope, Thomas Graham was employed below ground as a colliery horse keeper. Thomas Jnr known as Tom was born March 16th 1913.
Upon the outbreak of war after his enlistment at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, he was assigned as Private 1080 to the Northumberland Yeomanry (Hussars), a Territorial Army Squadron. Created as a home defence for service in a time of war members could not be compelled to serve overseas however after the declaration of war many came forward to volunteer to do so. Having been split into 1st and 2nd Lines, Private McDonald joined the 1st/1st Northumberland Hussars posted to “A” Squadron, Army Riding School, Northumberland Road, Newcastle, attached to the Yorkshire Mounted Brigade. Moved to Lyndhurst, Hampshire, in September 1914 they came under the command of the 7th Division. October 5th 1914 Private McDonald departed for the front landing with his regiment at Zeebrugge where it was ordered to Antwerp but by the time they arrived the city was already in the hands of the Germans. They remained under orders to hold important bridges to assist the withdrawal of the Belgian Army before moving to the front line in Belgium at Ypres.
In April 1915 the Yeomanry was split, “A” Squadron remained with the 7th Division, “B” was moved to the 1st, “C” to the 8th Division, until in preparation for the forthcoming battles on the Somme, between April and May .1916 they reformed and became the XIII Corps Cavalry Regiment. The use of cavalry during WW1 was intermittent, most of the men served as dismounted infantry. During the Battles of the Somme the XIII Corps served alongside the 3rd, 9th, 18th, 30th and 35th Divisions during the opening Battle at Albert, July 1st-13th 1916, Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th and Battle of Delville Wood July 15th-September 3rd 1916.
In 1917 Private McDonald was assigned a new service number, 270273. Spring 1917 they transferred to the Arras sector where the 7th Division fought in the flanking operation during the Arras Offensive, April 9th-May 16th 1917.
Having been wounded in the line of duty Private 270273 Thomas Graham McDonald Northumberland Hussars was evacuated back through the line to the 42nd Casualty Clearing Station at Aubigny where he succumbed to wounds sustained, April 22nd 1917 and interred at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France, grave II. B. 52. He was 32 years of age.
His widow Mary was informed of his death, May 28th 1917, she received all monies due to him from the Army, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, later, after making an application to the Army, also the 1914 Star and a pension of 26 shillings 3 pence a week, granted November 6th 1917, to be received, as of same date, for herself and her 3 children until each reached 16 years of age, sent to her at Stamfordham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Further details unknown.
Thomas Graham’s elder brothers, despite being in their mid to late 30’s would have been eligible to serve, however, no records have been found.
It should be noted census records list the family name as McDonald, military records as MacDonald. Place of death in the Register of Soldiers Effects states 44th Casualty Clearing Station, in 1917 the 44th C.C.S. was stationed at Colincamps from March 28th-May 22nd 1917, some 218 miles (352 kilometres) from Aubigny Communal Cemetery, it is, in my opinion, a clerical error as in the Colincamp area there are three military cemeteries that could have been used.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Graham McDonald is remembered at Wharlton on W53.01
