The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (632) Corporal Frederick Alexander McDonald, 4th Light Horse Regiment, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Sharon Bown, the story for this day was on (632) Corporal Frederick Alexander McDonald, 4th Light Horse Regiment, First World War.

632 Corporal Frederick Alexander McDonald, 4th Light Horse Regiment
KIA 17 October 1915

Today we remember and pay tribute to Corporal Frederick Alexander McDonald.

Frederick McDonald was born around 1891 to James and Elizabeth McDonald of Tatong, near Benalla in Victoria. He probably grew up on Tatong, and was educated at the state school at nearby Ryan’s Creek. He went on to work as a labourer in the district. After finishing school Frederick joined the 16th Light Horse Regiment as a volunteer, serving for several years before the First World War.

Frederick McDonald enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force shortly after the outbreak of war in August 1914. His experience with the light horse in Benalla saw him posted to the 4th Light Horse Regiment of the Australian Imperial Force. He underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving for active service from Melbourne on 19 October 1914.

Trooper McDonald was first sent to Egypt, where the regiment continued training in the desert. On 25 April 1915 the Australian infantry landed on Gallipoli, but the Light Horse were considered unsuitable for the operation because of their horses. Eventually mounting casualties at the Dardanelles meant that the Light Horse were send to Anzac Cove without their mounts in order to support the operation.

The 4th Light Horse Regiment landed on Gallipoli in late May 1915, and were initially sent forward in squadrons to reinforce the infantry on the heights above the beach. After several weeks scattered along the line, the regiment reformed, and spent much of its time holding a defensive position around Ryrie’s Post.

McDonald proved himself an able soldier, and on 7 October he was promoted to corporal. Nine days later he would be dead.

An officer of the 4th Light Horse later recounted, “We had the misfortune to lose one of our best men a few days ago. He was a corporal in my troop… Macdonald was his name. He was a fine chap and as brave as it is possible to get men. It seems a funny thing that the shells always seem to pick out the best men. This chap was one of our main snipers. A shell came through the parapet catching him on the right shoulder, practically taking his arm off. Even then he asked if any of his mates were hit, and when he was told no he seemed quite pleased, and started to walk to the dressing station but he was placed on a stretcher. He told the stretcher-bearers to be careful of his arm. Percy Fullerton went down to the beach with him and saw him off to the boat, but he died next day and was buried at sea. Such is the fortune of war, but to see a chap like this bearing his wound so bravely, it made more than one of us turn our heads and wonder if one should be as brave should our turn come. Would you convey my deepest sympathy and tell his mother he died a real hero’s death.”

Today Corporal Frederick Alexander McDonald is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial. He was 23 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Corporal Frederick Alexander McDonald, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section