SAPPER ALEXANDER WILKIE DONALDSON
7252 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company
Strathaven, Lanarkshire, Scotland was the birthplace of Alexander Wilkie Donaldson in 1881. He was the son of Reverend Alexander Wilkie Donaldson who was born about 1836 in Perthshire, Scotland and his wife Mary Agnes, born Bothwell of the same county in 1838. In 1881 Census of Scotland the family were residing at Strathaven and consisted of Alexander W. (45) minister, Mary Agnes (40), Euphemia (3), Mary H. (1) and Alexander W. (6 mths) plus Charles Donaldson, insurance agent, Christine Hunter (18) domestic servant and Elizabeth Long (17) nurse.
A decade later in 1891 the family were at Dhu Crag Manse consisting of Alexander W (55), minister of United Presbyterian Church, Mary Agnes (50), Euphemia (13), Mary H (10), Alexander W. (10) with Andrew Miller (59) teacher and Mary Ann Wilson (27) domestic servant also residing there.
Members of the household in 1901 at Dhu Crag were Alexander W. (65), Mary Agnes (63), Mary H. (21) and Alexander W. (20) electrical engineer.
Alexander came to Sydney, Australia possibly with his wife Catherine.
At Victoria Barracks, Sydney, NSW on April 5, 1917 the thirty-six year old electrician applied to enlist for active service abroad. Personal particulars taken from his preliminary medical examination show he was married; stood 165cms (5ft 5ins) tall and his brown eyes tested to good vision and had a chest expansion of 82-92cms (32½-36ins). Three vaccination marks were noted with two from infancy and one at 15 years of age. Apart from the notation ‘teeth require attention’ he was declared fit and his application was accepted by the recruiting officer.
Attestation Forms were completed which add further information on his weight 60kgs (132lbs) and distinctive marks listed were a birthmark over right nipple and scars on front of right thigh and back of left thigh. Complexion was medium with brown hair and brown eyes. Religion was Presbyterian. Next-of-kin was his wife Catherine Donaldson of Dhu Craig, Falconer Street, Ryde, Sydney, NSW. He was sworn in with the ‘Oath of Enlistment’ the same day.
As a recruit for basic training he commenced on April 16, 1917 at the Engineer Reinforcement camp at the Sydney Showgrounds, Moore Park and was granted final home leave from April 25 to 28, 1917 in preparation for his transfer on May 8 for further instruction at Seymour, Vic. There on May 21, 1917 he was assigned to train with the March Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies with the regimental number 7252 in the rank of sapper. In preparation for departure his Certificate of Will was noted to be lodged with Cope and Coy, Solicitors, Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW.
The Reinforcements of 167 members embarked on HMAT A32 Themistocles from Melbourne, Victoria on August 4, 1917. The voyage across the Pacific was rough and stormy for several days causing sea sickness on board. As the ship entered the Tropics it became very hot. Colon, Panama was reached on August 31, 1917 and during the unavoidable eight day delay very heavy rain and muggy conditions were endured. The transport docked at Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 18, 1917 and three days later left to experience good weather across the Atlantic arriving in Glasgow, Scotland on October 2, 1917 after a fifty-nine day voyage. The troops were detrained to Tidworth, England and marched into Nos 1 and 3 camps at Parkhouse for further training for the front.
Departing Southampton the Reinforcements proceeded to France on November 29, 1917 arriving at the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles a day later.
Having the civilian trade of electrician Sapper Donaldson was quickly transferred to the Aust Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company on December 3, 1917 and he was taken on strength with this unit two days later.
No further details of his service are recorded until he was issued with Blue Chevrons to wear on his uniform for twelve months service abroad.
On August 1, 1918 he was taken on strength with the company in the field and remained until the war ended.
Leave was granted from November 21, 1918 until December 5 when he rejoined his unit.
On March 19, 1919 he reported to the A.G.B.D. at Havre then crossed the English Channel and marched into the A.A.S.C. Training Depot at Parkhouse. He was taken on strength with A.I.F. Headquarters in London.
Special leave was granted to attend Non-Military Employment from March 29, 1919 with pay and subsistence and railway warrants to and from Glasgow, Scotland plus an electrical fitter’s kit valued at $4.65 (£2.6.6d). A six month course of instruction with the Electric Power supply had been arranged at The Clyde Valley Electrical Power Co., 53 Bothwell Street, Glasgow.
Several days later on April 4, 1919 his father Rev. Alexander W. Donaldson passed away at Strabona, 43 Kyle Park, Uddington, Glasgow.
At his own request Sapper Donaldson cancelled the course on July 16, 1919. The report from the Power Company stated “during the three months this man was in our employ he proved himself a careful and diligent workman and very attentive to duty.”
The next day he was retransferred to A.E.M.M.B.C. and left for the No. 2 Group camp at Sutton Veny on July 30 to await his transport home.
He embarked on August 18, 1919 on the H.T. Ajana for the voyage to Australia. His wife was advised on September 2, 1919 by Base Records that he was on his way. The ship docked in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on October 9, 1919.
At the Domain Anzac Buffet on October 10, 1919 he was examined by the medical board and his statement of case reads:
“I am not suffering from any disability due to or aggravated by war service, and feel fit and well.
Sgd A. Donaldson”
Discharge was recommended and confirmed by the Board and he was discharged on termination of his period of enlistment on November 9, 1919 in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.)
For serving his country Sapper 7252 Alexander Wilkie Donaldson, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company was issued with the British War Medal (75610) and the Victory Medal (72186).
He was a member of the A.E.M.M.B.C. and Tunnellers’ Anzac Day Reunion who met after the Anzac Day March in Sydney and his name appears in their Registers as follows:
1928 Falconer Street, West Ryde
1934 32 Falconer Street, West Ryde
1960-68 32 Falconer Street, West Ryde - notation 9/4/68 died 1944
Alexander W. Donaldson passed away on May 19, 1944 aged 63 years of age. The following notices were published during the week:
© Donna Baldey 2013