Surname:	Macdonald
Forename(s):	William John
Rank:	Private
Service number:	1197
Regiment:	4th Cameron Highlanders ‘C’ Company
Date of death:	5 October 1915 Aged 20
Place of death:	Loos
Buried Commemorated	Chocques Military Cemetery – I.E 154 Kingussie War Memorial and Kingussie

Background

William was born on 14 April 1895 at High Street, Kingussie to Jonathan and Jean Macdonald (m.s. MacKenzie). The family moved in 1898 to the newly built house, Glengarry, East Terrace, Kingussie. By the 1911 Census William was a Butcher’s Apprentice. A press report states that he was an apprentice plumber before war broke out. At the time of his death his parents were still living at Glengarry, Kingussie. His father was the burgh surveyor.

William’s brother James also died of wounds on 28 April 1917 and he is buried at Guemappe Cemetery.  William and James had one brother and four sisters Catherine, Jane (Jeannie), Mary and Williamina.

War Record

William travelled to France on 19 February 1915 and was evacuated sick on 1 April 1915 and returned to France on 6 August 1915.
He was wounded in action at Loos on 30 September 1915 and was evacuated but died of wounds on 5 October 1915. He is buried at Chocques Military Cemetery.

Known as McDonald by CWGC and MacDonald on his birth certificate. Macdonald is also spelt in a number of variants on documents – Macdonald, MacDonald and McDonald.

Also remembered on the and Kingussie and Insh Memorial in Kingussie Parish Church and the Ring of Remembrance, Notre Dame de Lorette.