Jonathan Waugh McDonald, one of 9 children of whom only 6 survived was the 2nd born of 3 brothers and had 1 elder and 4 younger sisters. His father Perter William McDonald was born at Penrith, Cumberland in 1867 and after the death of his father migrated to the north east settling in County Durham, where he was married, district of Lanchester, in 1893, to Rebecca Ann Waugh, born February 8th 1873 at South Moor, County Durham. A year after their marriage they were living at Radcliffe, near Amble in Northumberland, where their daughter Sarah Mitchell was born November 23rd 1894, George Waugh in 1897 who tragically died within 3 months, this was followed by the death of his sister Sarah, aged 4, in 1898, just after the birth of John Waugh, April 27th 1898. By 1900 they had moved to Coxlodge, near Gosforth, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, birthplace of Jonathan Waugh, April 20th 1900, before transferring to the district of Castle Ward, including Westerhope, Northumberland. July 2nd 1903 Margaret Isabel was born there as was Eliza Jane, September 4th 1905, Elizabeth Waugh, 1907 who died 1908, Elizabeth Cole, July 3rd 1908 and lastly James Doyle McDonald, February 6th 1911. Peter William and family were living in 3 rooms at Bensons Buildings, Westerhope in 1911, he worked below ground at the colliery as a charge man and was the only breadwinner.

When war was declared in August 1914, despite being 47 years of age, his father enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, in early 1915, assigned as Private 9737 to the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, joining the 64th Brigade, 28th Division. The main body of the regiment left for the western front in January 1915, Private Peter William McDonald did not join them until July 28th 1915, his regiment having returned to France after its engagement during the 2nd Battle of Ypres in Belgium.

The 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers participated at the Battle of Loos between September 25th-October 8th 1915, during which for the first time the British used poison gas. It was the biggest British attack of 1915 and the first mass engagement of Kitchener’s New Army units. The Franco-British attacks were to break through the German defences in the Artois and Champagne sectors, unfortunately this failed, Franco-British losses were very high.

Private 9737 Peter William McDonald Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action during the Battle of Champagne, October 1st 1915. His sacrifice is recorded as one of 20,641 names inscribed on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, which forms the back and sides of Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, 5 kilometres west of Lens. He was 48 years of age. Awards 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

When Jonathan reached the age of 18 years 58 days he was conscripted into the Army at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, May 14th 1918, for the duration of the war, leaving his employment as a shifter for Broom and Sons, Montague Colliery, Scotswood on Tyne. Having made his way to the Northumberland Fusiliers Reception Depot he was transferred to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion Hampshire Regiment at Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire, for 2 months and from there to the 5th South Staffordshire Regiment in Ireland for 5 months, as Private 58774. After the Armistice of November 11th 1918 he became eligible for discharge, having been examined by the medical board, December 5th 1918, and found to be fit for mining, he was discharged to Class W, “for all those soldiers whose services are deemed to be more valuable to the country in civil rather than military employment,” under King’s Regulations 392 (xxva), “his service no longer being required.”

Jonathan was married in the district of Castle Ward, Northumberland in 1924 to Annie M. Stephenson, with whom he had 2 sons, born at Castle Ward, Alfred S McDonald in 1924 and Peter William in 1926 who died within 3 months.

Jonathan Waugh McDonald died aged 84 years, district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland in 1984.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.