Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of Donald Ryerson MacDonald – Lt. Donald Ryerson Macdonald, 18th Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Killed in action August 16, 1917, at 19 years of age. Born in Toronto, Macdonald was one of Appleby's original students, having followed founding Headmaster John Guest from Upper Canada College. He played on the First Rugby (Football), Hockey and Cricket teams, won the Victor Ludorum Trophy in 1915, and earned admission to the University of Toronto. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Thirty-fourth Regiment, Canadian Militia, but reverted to the ranks twice in an effort to reach France. On arrival in England he was promised a commission in the Surrey Regiment; he took his course, but could not be gazetted because he was under age. He went to France as a private soldier in the Trench Mortar Battery of the Fourth Brigade, and after nine months in the trenches, was promoted Lieutenant in the field. He was killed by a bomb while reconnoitering ground in front of a newly-won position in the outskirts of Lens. From the Appleby College archives.

Newspaper Clipping

Circumstances of Death Registers – Circumstances of Death Register

War Diary – 18th Battalion War Diary entry relating to action where Lt. MacDonald was killed.

Photo of Donald Ryerson Macdonald – From The War Book of Upper Canada College, edited by Archibald Hope Young, Toronto, 1923. This book is a Roll of Honour including former students who served during the First World War.

Memorial Tablet – Lieutenant Donald Ryerson Macdonald Name is remembered on this brass Memorial Tablet. It was unveiled on May 1, 1921 in memory of Upper Canada College students who died on active service during the First World War. Upper Canada College is located in Toronto, Ontario.

Appleby College Honour Roll – Donald Macdonald was a student at Appleby College and is commemorated in the school Honour Roll. He was killed near Lens while "on a reconnaissance mission in no man's land. A bomb exploded in front of him. Before his men reached him, Macdonald was dead" (from The Appleby Story).