MCDONALD, Thomas Todd

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Wingham
Original Unit
161st Huron Battalion
Regimental Number
654131
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
24
Cemetery
Ypres Menin Gate Memorial
Cenotaph
Wingham Cenotaph
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             9th Infantry Brigade
                                             58th Battalion - Central Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   654131
RESIDENCE:                    Wingham – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            November 17, 1893
                                             Wingham – Turnberry Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           November 13, 1917             24 years
MEMORIAL:                    Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial – Ieper –
                                             West Vlaanderen – Belgium
                                             Panel 18-24 & Panel 26-30
PARENT:                           Mr. and Mrs. David MacDonald – Wingham – Ontario
Occupation:                        Drover                                  Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         Wingham – December 31, 1915 – 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 22 years     1 month

The S.S. Lapland arrived in England on November 11, 1916 with the 161st Battalion.
Private MacDonald transferred to the 58th Battalion on November 30th and Struck off Strength from the 161st.
He went overseas into France in very early December and joined the unit in the field on December 30, 1916.
Private MacDonald lost his life in the trenches while serving with his Brigade near Passchendaele. His unit at that time was located in the trenches north of Passchendaele.
Winds were from the north and the south-west at 8 mph with fair conditions and some cloud
From early morning until approximately 4:30 pm the enemy artillery was very active, and then followed by an intense enemy bombardment which was followed by an enemy counter-attack of considerable strength. The enemy attacked the Battalion front but failed to reach the lines.
On this day Battalion HQ was a “pillbox” The defences were “B” & “C” Companies being on the right and left front. “A” & “D” Companies were right and left support 100 yards to the rear. The support lines had been strengthened by “A” & “D” Companies of the 43rd Battalion.
“C” Company of the 58th Battalion observed the enemy assembling for the counter-attack and immediately sent out a S.O.S. signal and immediately the Battalion Artillery brought down a barrage on the enemy. The advancing three waves of enemy infantry 100 yards apart were caught by the barrage coming down and were broken up. Those escaping the barrage were stopped by Lewis guns and rifle fire.
During this week of battle the Battalion suffered 23 killed and 134 wounded and 2 missing.

During the advance casualties were 30 killed and 320 wounded.