1914–15 Star.
Colonial Auxiliary Forces’ Long Service Medal.
Seven mentions in despatches.
LIEUT.-COL. J. A. M‘DONALD.
Lieut.-Col. J. A. McDonald started his military career by enlisting in the 17th Sydney Field Battery in 1896, receiving first-class certificate from the R.S.A., Quebec, winter of 1897–98, enlisted for service in South Africa 1899, served in “E” Battery and 4th C.M.R., obtained commission in the 17th 1906, qualified and promoted through the various stages until he took command of the Battery in 1913, was still in command at outbreak of the War in August, 1914, when he volunteered the Battery for Overseas service through the then Brigade Commander, Lieut.-Col. H. G. McLeod. August 8, 1914. On arrival at Valcartier he was posted as Captain to the 5th Westmount Battery, 2nd Brigade, C.F.A., promoted in Field to rank of Major May, 1915, and took command of 7th Battery, promoted to rank of Lieutenant-Colonel April, 1917, and was posted to command the 3rd Brigade, C.F.A., commanded this Brigade until it was demobilized in Canada in May, 1919, except for period of three months, during which time he was attached to the 4th Canadian Division Artillery Headquarters, acting as C.R.A.
During the above period of four years and ten months on active service he went through every engagement in which the Canadian Corps took part from the day the First Canadian Division landed on French soil (February 12, 1915) up to the day of the Armistice, November 11, 1918.
Decorations are as follows:—
Queen’s South Africa Medal, Three Clasps.