Private 11978 Thomas James McDonald

BMD details:
Marriage: 12/03/1899 Thomas J McDonald to Elizabeth Muxlow at St Helens Parish Church. Witnessed by B.A Wilcock and M Muxlow.

Family details:
Next of kin from service papers: Mrs Elizabeth McDonald, 14, Liverpool Street, St Helens.

Census details:
Not identified before 1901. 1901 - 22 years old 'Sheet Glass Labourer' Thomas J is living at 24, Tontine Street, St Helens with wife of 2 years Elizabeth (20) and daughter Margaret C (5 mths). Also at the address are boarders Bartholomew Wilcock (22), Mary Wilcock (22), William J Wilcock (4 mths). 1911 - Sees 33 years old 'Miner Employed by Contractor' Thomas J living at 10, Back Mount Street, St Helens with wife Elizabeth (29) and five children: Margaret Ellen (10), Joseph (8), May (7), Lilian (4), Roseaner (3 mths).

Notes:
Age taken from census.

Private Thomas James McDonald (11978, 2nd Battalion, Prince of Wales's Volunteers, South Lancashire Regiment) fought and died in World War One. Medical record on signing up states; Declared age 33 yrs 11mths Height 5feet 3.5 inches Weight 141 lbs Chest 38 inches Service Record states; Recruited and signed up 2nd September 1914 in St.Helens. Embarked Southampton 29th June 1915 Disembarked Rouen 30th June 1915 Embarked from Rouen to the front 23rd July 1915 With Battalion 23815 Wounded in action 27th August 1915 Slight wounds - remianed at duty 27th August 1915 Awarded 3 days field punishment 20th March 1916 (can't read reason) Missing 3rd July 1916 Killed In Action Monday 3rd July 1916. This was an attack on the German position south of Thiepval in which they lost 14 officers and over 300 ORs. The attack was claimed to have been shattered by heavy machine gun fire and accurate shelling. The battalion assembled during the night east of the river Ancre. The barrage lifted at 0600 and they went forward, on a front of only 250 yards, D companies leading, with two following and one in reserve. The attack broke down. Colonel Cotton reported to Brigade HQ at 0930: [quote] 'The attack is unsuccessful and we hold not portion of the enemy's line. The attack was led by 'D' Company on a frontage of two platoons. This company entered the German trenches in good style, but were subsequently held up by machine-gun fire. All the officers of the company are missing. Of the second company to advance I can only account for approximately one officer, three N.C.Os. and about 25 men. They were apparently held up by machine gun fire. Of the thrid company I can only now account for one officer, one Sergeant and 30 men. Of the remaining company I have two officers left; this company has only sustained a few casualties. I am in touch with the 8th South Lancashires on my left and 8th Borders on my right, in front line. ...Officer commanding my leading company, Captain Whittaker, has just crawled in, badly wounded. Also two men. Attack by Battalion on my right also failed. Two companies got in but were reported as bombed back.[/quote] Facts and quotation from Whalley-Kelly, Ich Dien. Remembered with Honour on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Pier and Face 7A, &B (major ceremony held July 1st yearly) Copy of his medal card states he was awarded the Victory Medal (roll J/1/103B4 page 746) and Star Medal (roll J/1/1B1 page 142). The card states 'Theatre of War first served in - 1/France' and 'Date of entry therein 30.6.1915' and 'Missing Presumed Dead 3.7.1916). Information by Thomas McDonald's Great Great Grandson [url=http://www.sthelensrollsofhonour.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=69]kevmc[/url] [pic]imgs/WW1_memorials/TMcDonald_CAMcGowran_EMcNally_PMaloney_HMartin_HMarsh_SLR.jpg[/pic][caption]The inscription for Private Thomas James McDonald on the Thiepval Memorial (Photograph courtesy of Ste M.)[/caption]