Ernest Archibald (Ray) McDonald

Ernest Archibald (Ray) McDonald was born in 1879 in Cooma, NSW, to George McDonald and Margaret Wilson, nee Beattie. 

Ernest married Elizabeth Maude Evanden on 21st January 1907; however, the marriage ended in divorce on 15th November 1915.

On 1st December 1915, he enlisted at Broadmeadows, Victoria. At the time, he was a married, 36-year-old labourer from Clifton, Sydney Rd, Coburg, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 4986 and placed in the 15th Reinforcements for the 14th Battalion. Ernest gave his next of kin as his wife, Elizabeth McDonald. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A68 Anchisses at Melbourne, Victoria, on 14th March 1916.

While undergoing further training at Tel-el-Kebir, he was transferred to the 46th Battalion on 24th May 1916. In early June, he embarked on HT Huntspill and sailed across the Mediterranean to Marseilles in the south of France. On 30th August, he was wounded in action, suffering a shell bruise to the right leg. He was sent to the 49th Casualty Clearing Station. He was diagnosed with the mumps and admitted to the 25th Stationary Hospital at Rouen, France. He was discharged to duty on the 27th September. Two weeks later, he was back in hospital with influenza.

Ernest rejoined the battalion on 25th January 1917. On 11th April, the battalion fought at the First Battle of Bullecourt, suffering heavy losses. Later that year, it would also take part in the battles of Messines and Passchendaele. Just before the latter, Ernest was admitted to hospital suffering from a venereal disease. He would end up spending the next 47 days in hospital. He would rejoin the 46th at Passchendaele. On 27th September, he suffered a gunshot wound to the left forearm. He was initially taken to the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance before being evacuated back to England and placed into the Lewisham Military Hospital. He would not rejoin the battalion but would be classified as “Return to Australia”

On 5th April 1918, he returned to Australia aboard HMAT A30 Borda, with the rank of Private. He was discharged on 18th October 1918 and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during the war.

When Ernest returned from the war, he settled in Nariel, according to the Electoral Rolls, where he gained employment as a labourer and as a contractor for the Cudgewa Dairy Factory Ltd.

Ernest passed away on 12th November 1964 at Corryong, Victoria and was buried in Corryong Cemetery.