'At Messines on 7th June 1917. During the operation on the Messines Ridge this man was a member of the Forward Observation Officer's party. They laid, and for hours endeavoured to maintain communications under very heavy shell fire. For a period of twenty four hours they were continually working on the wire, repairing breaks until communication was finally established. On the 9th June, volunteers for a similar task were called for, this man volunteered and was again included. When one of the party was wounded Gunner McDonald, assisted by three others, carried him under heavy fire to a dressing station. His coolness and gallant conduct during the whole period was a splendid example to the other men.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 16 August 1917

Regimental number	2/143
Occupation	Baker
Next of kin	Mrs S McDonald, Edward Street Thames
Rank on embarkation	Gunner
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, New Zealand Field Artillery
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 16 October 1914
Medals	Military Medal 'At Messines on 7th June 1917. During the operation on the Messines Ridge this man was a member of the Forward Observation Officer's party. They laid, and for hours endeavoured to maintain communications under very heavy shell fire. For a period of twenty four hours they were continually working on the wire, repairing breaks until communication was finally established. On the 9th June, volunteers for a similar task were called for, this man volunteered and was again included. When one of the party was wounded Gunner McDonald, assisted by three others, carried him under heavy fire to a dressing station. His coolness and gallant conduct during the whole period was a splendid example to the other men.' Source: London Gazette Date: 16 August 1917
Other details	Ex Main Body
Date of death	16 December 1942
Age at death	49
Place of burial	Hillsborough Cemetery (Area 10, Block C, Grave 71), Auckland
Sources	Nominal Rolls Vol. 4: Roll 92, p. 4