Served in WW1 and during WW2 in Coastal Defences

NZEF Private 2 years 3 months 10 days; returned to New Zealand on SS Briton

Married Mary Baillie Kennedy of Umawera 1928.

Executive with the North Hokianga Returned Services Association

His eldest son writes "Prior to ANZAC Day, he would ride around the Umawera district, on horse back selling poppies. Nobody escaped, he was regarded as the best Poppy seller about."

"During "McDonald's time in the army in 1939-1945 and on an NCO's course at Narrow Neck Military Camp. There was a Machine Gun training exercise, under the watchful of one Captain Bill Bates. "Bates" gave the range, on the target out on the water, the first half dozen gun crews under shot the target. MacDonald being the number 1 in his crew and having been attached to the MG Coy in France WW1 raised the sights of the MG and splayed the target. "Bates" was ecstatic and upon asking McDonald how his crew managed to hit the target, McDonald replied - well Sir, we raised the sights Sir, it was either them or us Sir. The other crews got toweled off by Bates which was not too gentle for their inability to use their initiative."

Also while at Narrow Neck and on the first day of inspection by Bates, McDonald was called to the front of the parade as an example as to how Boots, Brass buttons and leather bandoliers should shine on parade on the bullring" AWMM