John McDonald

Rank: 
Sergeant
Regimental number: 
109517
Unit at enlistment: 
4th Canadian Mounted Rifles
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Wounded: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario
Birth country: 
Scotland
Birth county: 
Lanarkshire
Birth city: 
Glespin
Address at enlistment: 
41 Catharine Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
41 Catharine Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Mechanic
Employer: 
Massey-Harris Co.
Religious denominations: 
Presbyterian
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
31

Letters and documents

BX August 24, 1916

Returning Home

A dispatch containing the names of a large number of invalided soldiers who arrived in Quebec last evening from Halifax, where they landed on Wednesday, arrived late this afternoon. The list contains the name of J. McDonald of Brantford. As Brantford sent a number of J. McDonalds, it is impossible to tell from The Expositor’s record just which one this is.

BX August 24, 1916

Invalided Home Arrives Tonight

Ald. J.S. Dowling, chairman of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission, this afternoon received a telegram stating that Pte. John McDonald, who has been invalided home from the front, would arrive in the city this evening at 7.32 (G.T.R.)

BX August 25, 1916

Sergt. McDonald Returned Home – On Five Days’ Leave From Toronto, He Slipped in City Quietly

Sergeant John McDonald, invalided home from the front, slipped quietly into the city yesterday afternoon on the 3.52 train from Toronto. He was met at the station by his wife and Ald. Welsh, and conveyed to his home at 41 Catherine Street, West Brantford, by automobile.

Sergt McDonald, who was wounded in the leg, is quite lame, and has but five days’ leave from the hospital at Toronto. He enlisted here early in the war and left with the C.M.R. Previous to enlistment he resided on Brant Street. He is well known here, having been prominent in football circles previous to the outbreak of the war, when he managed the Scotch football team in this city. He was also an active worker with the Sons of Scotland.

BX May 12, 1961

John McDonald

John McDonald of 52 Catharine Avenue died suddenly Friday in the Brantford General Hospital.  Born in Glaspin, Scotland, 78 years ago, Mr. McDonald was a resident of Brantford since 1910.  He was a veteran of the Boer War, serving with the Imperial Army and a veteran of the First World War, serving with the Fourth Canadian Mounted Rifles, rising to the rank of sergeant.  He was wounded and returned to Brantford.  Mr. McDonald was an employee of the Board of Education as a caretaker at Ryerson School for 35 years, retiring in 1945.  While at Ryerson, “Sergeant,” as he was popularly known by generations of pupils, instructed them in physical exercise.  He was a member of the United Church.  Mr. McDonald was a life member of Ozias Lodge, A.F. and A.M., and a charter members of Branch 90, Canadian Legion.  Surviving are Mrs. McDonald, the former Agnes Paton; four daughters, Mrs. J.W. (Mary) Seymour of Baltimore, Md., Mrs. M. (Nancy) Roberts of California, Mrs. R. (Florence) Sherred of Brantford and Mrs. H. (Margaret) Ainger, Brantford; three sons, John, William and Douglas all of Brantford; 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Mr. McDonald will rest at the Beckett Funeral Home from Saturday noon for service Monday at 2 p.m.  Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.