Private George MACDONALD (266806)
1/5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

Date of birth: 2nd February 1880
Date of death: 27th July 1918

Killed in action aged 38
Buried at Marfaux British Cemetery Plot I Row I Grave 12
He was born at Delmunack, Knockando on the 2nd of February 1880 the son of James MacDonald, a shepherd, and Annie MacDonald of Muirside, Elchies, Craigellachie.

He was educated at Knockando public school and on leaving became a ploughman.

He enlisted at Elgin on the 5th of June 1916 and went to France on the 3rd of February 1917.
He was wounded on the 23rd of September 1917 near Ypres when the battalion were holding Pheasant Trench against a series of German counterattacks during the Third Battle of Ypres.

During July 1918, the battalion was engaged in a series of attacks which cost them many casualties. By the morning of the 27th of July there were only eight officers and two hundred and fifty men remaining and again they were sent into the attack.

During this advance, all the officers of the leading Company became casualties, and so, Lieutenant. W. W. Nicolson, in command of the support Company, at once went forward, took command, and led them on to their objective. By his promptness at a most critical moment he enabled the advance to continue in accordance with time-table. For his courage, coolness, and initiative through the battle, he was decorated with the MC and the Croix de Guerre with Palms.

An officer wrote of George McDonald:-

"His conduct was exemplary and an example to all ranks."
Muirside

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