Military History

Donald is listed as being killed in action on 18th February 1916. The 1st/7th Battalion war diary entries for the period 17th to 19th February 1916 are transcribed below.

Trenches – Foncquevillers – 17.2.16: Weather fine. A few enemy shells on our left centre and No 3 (left) communication trench in the morning.

Trenches – Foncquevillers – 18.2.16: At 1.30am the enemy commenced an intense bombardment all along our front & that of 2 Battalions on our left lasting for 75 minutes. The battalion stood to. Enemy shelled Foncquevillers and F.A. [Field Artillery?] position to NW of the village as well but guns were trained in our front trenches all the time. Casualties 4 killed & 1 wounded in our left Coy.

An enemy patrol about 30 strong, entered the trenches of the Battalion on our left, capturing some prisoners. A “rain” of shells & mortars was kept up all the time on my left Coy especially & it was impossible for them to see what was happening about 400 or 500 yards on their left, owing to this & more especially to the configuration of the ground. The show was over by 2.45 & during the rest of the 24 hours everything was very quiet and our artillery put up an effective barrage in front of our line.

Trenches – Foncquevillers – 19.2.16: Weather wet. Enemy very quiet. Artillery on both sides inactive. Casualties nil.