'While performing no specific act of gallantry during the period under review, he rendered very valuable services while acting as Battery Captain. For five weeks during the operations proceeding the capture of Passchendaele, the regularity with which the ammunition dumps of the batteries were kept full under very adverse conditions was the subject of special appreciation by the C.R.A., Canadian Divisional Artillery which relieved us. As far as his Battery was concerned, I consider the excellent ammunition supply was largely due to the splendid organisation maintained by Lieutenant MacDonald, despite the heavy losses in animals and casualties to personnel. Lieutenant MacDonald left New Zealand as a Gunner with the 4th Howitzer Battery, and was on Gallipoli during the whole of the operations there. Since the arrival of the Division in France he has had continuous service with his unit up to the 2nd November 1917, when he went to the Base on tour of duty. He was at the guns during the fighting at the Somme and Messines.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 3 June 1918