Military History

Embarked Adelaide per HMAT ‘Geelong’ A2 for Egypt 18.11.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 32nd Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Brigade, ‘C’ Company.
Mackay disembarked in Egypt. Rejoined unit from hospital 30.4.1916. After a short period of intensive training, he joined the BEF in Alexandria and embarked per HT ’Transylvania’ 17.6.1916.He disembarked at Marseilles 23.6.1916. The 32nd Bn. fought its first major battle at Fromelles in July 1916. (AWM 32nd Bn. ) MacKay was wounded in action at Fromelles, France, with a GSW to his elbow 19.7.1916. He was admitted to hospital in France 20.7.1916. MacKay was discharged to Base Details in Boulogne 9.8.1916. He rejoined his unit from hospital 29.8.1916. MacKay was admitted (sick) hospital, France 7.9.1916. He embarked per H.S. ‘Newhaven’ at Boulogne for England 13.9.1916. He was admitted to the Ontario Military Hospital at Orpington Kent, with Orchitis Double 14.9.1916. He was discharged to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital. On his recovery, he was discharged to Weymouth Base Depot 14.11.1916. MacKay proceeded overseas to France to join his unit 12.1.1917. He fought in the trenches in difficult conditions. MacKay became ill with scabies 8.2.1917 and was sent to the Divisional Rest Station (DRS) 9.2.1917. He rejoined his Unit from hospital 14.2.1917. The 32nd Bn. fought in early 1917 in the advance on the Hindenburg Line and later at Bullecourt and Polygon Wood. (AWM 32nd Bn. ) Mackay was again hospitalised 11.8.1917. He rejoined his Unit 20.11.1917. In February 1917, MacKay was again hospitalised with haemorrhoids 27.2.1918. He rejoined his Bn. 10.5.1918. He was hospitalised in 26.5.1918 and 2.6.1918. He was invalided to England with a debility for a total period 61 days. MacKay was promoted to Corporal 26.6.1919 and listed for return to Australia.
Returned/Disembarked per ‘Barambah’ 3.9.1919.
Discharged 12.12.1919.
Final Rank Corporal 32nd Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes MacKay did not marry. He died in Nedlands 22.12.1946 (West Australian Family Notices p1)
Photos HMAT 'Geelong' at Alexandria. Photographer Schuler P.E.F. Photograph source AWM  PS0366
             Fromelles- no man's land 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E04030
             Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H12360
             Attack on Polygon Wood 1917. Postcard by Colart Studio 1921, photograph source AWM P0538.006
             SS 'Barambah'. Photographer F. G Wilkinson 1923. Photograph source ANMM  000415322

Information Source
ANMM 000415322. SS 'Barambah'. Photographer F. G Wilkinson 1923. Photograph sourced from the Australian National Maritime Museum
AWM PS0366. HMAT 'Geelong' at Alexandria. Photographer Schuler P.E.F. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection Australian Memorial
AWM E04030. Fromelles no man's land 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection Australian War Memorial
AWM H12360. Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P0538.006. Attack on Polygon Wood 1917. Postcard by Colart Studio 1921, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Donald Louden MacKay
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: 2455, MacKay Donald Louden



Cartmeticup, via Katanning, WA.

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