Name: Douglas Bertram MacDonald Rank: Corporal Service Number: F/67695 Service: 22nd Canadian Field Ambulance, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Awards: 1939-45 Star, France, and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, and Clasp, War Medal 1939-45, Military Medal Date of Birth: March 17, 1917 Place of Birth: Victoria Park, London, England Date of Enlistment: September 2, 1939 Place of Enlistment: Halifax, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia Age of Enlistment: 22 Address at Enlistment: Halifax, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia Height 5 feet, 7 ½ inches Complexion: Medium Hair Colour: Brown Eye Colour: Blue Occupation: Miner Marital Status: Single Religion: Church of England Next of Kin: Grace MacDonald (Mother), 113 Gottingen St., Halifax, NS Date of Death: June 6, 1944 Age: 27 Cemetery: Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reviers, France Grave: Section I, Row F, Grave 3 Commemorated of Page 371 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on August 7th Douglas Betram MacDonald was the son of Bertram Wingate MacDonald (1887-1938) and Grace Zena (Taylor) MacDonald (1892-1957), and the brother of Hector John Macdonald (1919-1977), George Henry Macdonald (1923-2012), Bruce Taylor Macdonald (1925-1996), and Reginald Charles Macdonald (1928-1988). Douglas was born in England but lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia for 18 years. There is record of him arriving in Halifax, NS, in July of 1924 aboard the Cedric, but the 1921 census records him, his parents and one sibling living in Pictou, NS therefore he must have settled in Nova Scotia before that date. Prior to enlistment, Douglas was working as a miner’s helper in gold mining for Avon Gold Mining Inc. in Oldham, Halifax Co., NS. He indicated his preference to become a mining engineer after the war. He noted he had been in the Active Militia in Halifax since November 24, 1933. Corporal Douglas MacDonald dedicated his life to helping others. Aged just 14, MacDonald signed up to the 22nd Field Ambulance of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corp in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was also one of the earliest volunteers for the war, signing up the day before war was declared in 1939. He was shipped to Aldershot in 1940, and his records show he remained in the UK for much of the war, gaining promotion to Corporal and being awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp in 1943. In June 1944, MacDonald joined his countrymen for the Invasion of Normandy, going ashore on Juno beach. It was here that MacDonald was killed, but not before fulfilling his duty, providing medical care and attention to his comrades that had fallen on the sand. MacDonald’s bravery and devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire was recognised, and he was posthumously awarded the Military Medal, with the citation: “The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards for gallant and distinguished conduct in the field.” The details of the award state, “On the morning of 6 June 1944 during the assault on the beach at Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Corporal MacDonald was engaged with his section in collecting and treating casualties. Mortar and machine gun fire was heavy and continuous. Several casualties were seen to occur at the east end of the beach wall. On his own initiative and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Corporal MacDonald collected three stretcher bearers and crawled thirty yards to render First Aid to those casualties. While so engaged, a mortar shell exploded a few feet from them killing two of the bearers, wounded a third and severely wounding Corporal MacDonald about the face. Still conscious but blinded, he retained presence of mind and attempted to crawl to the shelter of the sea wall. He was removed and treated by other members of the section. Throughout the entire action until becoming a casualty, Corporal MacDonald showed complete fearlessness and great initiative and leadership. His conduct was in every way and inspiration to the men in his section.” His records contain both the telegram that was sent to his mother, informing her that he had been killed in action, as well as a letter from Major-General H. F. G. Letson thanking her for his sacrifice. Corporal Douglas Bertram MacDonald is interred at the Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in Normandy. The inscription on his grave reads, “No greater love hath any man than to lay down his life for his friend R.I.P.”

Sources: D-Day casualties with ties to Nova Scotia findagrave Canadian Virtual War Memorial tracesofwar.com