Husband of Phyllis and father of three

Len McDonald was one of those captured in the Western Desert and taken as a POW. He escaped almost immediately and hid in the sand dunes until an Allied unit passed by and picked him up.

He was also involved in the Furlough group who refused to return to the war front until all New Zealanders elegible to serve had done so. Len was court martialed and imprisoned for 90 days. Subsequently he re-enlisted and served in Italy.

After the war Len married Phyllis Irene. They were married for 59 years. They had three children, Val, Lynette and Wayne. At the time of his death Len had eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Len was interviewed by his family about a year before he died. The recording may be available on request - Please contact Museum staff for details: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/your-museum/contact-us AWMM