Duncan Macdonald, Flesherin

Private DUNCAN MACDONALD
Date of birth: 24 May 1888
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Last address in Lewis: Flesherin

Not married
Next of kin: Norman Macdonald, Father, of 1 Portnaguran

Military unit: 1st Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment)
Service number: 201639
Volunteered at Toronto on 19 October 1915

Date of death: 12 April 1917 at the age of 31
Cause of death: Killed in action at Vimy Ridge
Interred: Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont St-Eloi, grave VI E 9
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

The 1891 census shows the 5-year old Duncan at 12 Portnaguran, with his parents Norman (37) and Flora (36) and siblings Murdo (13), Neil (11), Mary C (9), Donald (7), Norman (9 months).

His brother Norman served in the Royal Naval Reserve during the Great War.

Stornoway Gazette
Mr Norman Macdonald, joiner, Flesherin, has been informed that his son, Pte Duncan Macdonald, Canadians, has died of wounds received in action. He was wounded on 12th April, but reported enquiries by his father failed to elicit from the Records Office any information as tot he nature of his wounds; nor has the date of his death yet transpired. The father then wrote the Commanding Officer who now gives the following information: "In reply to your letter of June 5th with reference to your son, 201539 Pte Duncan Macdonald, Canadian Batt, I deeply regret to inform you that he died of wounds in France and is buried in a cemetery a few miles from the spot where he received his wounds. He was badly wounded in the legs and arms by a shell adn was carried out, but his injuries were to severe to hope for recovery. The Graves Commission, who keep records of all graves, will be able to inform you of theh location of the grave, if you wish. I did not know your son peronsally, but he is well spoken of by both officers and men, and beaars a fine record as a soldier in this unit. I can imagine how deeply you feel this loss, but it may be some consolation to you to know that he shared in the glorious advance and in making the supreme sacrifice, met his fate bravely and unflinchingly and in so doing set an example to those of us who are still left to carry on. The Empire can ill afford to lose such men as he. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your sad loss".
The late soldier, who was 32 years of age, emigrated to Canada twelve years ago. He was a member of the Lewis Society, Toronto, amongst whom he was a great favourite. Two of his brothers are now serving in the Navy. His oldest brother, Murdo, a bombardier in the RGA, was accidentally killed in the Isle of Wight sixteen years ago by the bursting of a gun during field practice. Much sympathy is felt for this patriotic family in their time of sorrow.