Private George McDonald

Private George Alexander McDonald, 1st/8th ( Service) Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in France, aged 24, on 16th May 1915 and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France. He had been boirn in North Berwick to Robert and Jane McDonald of Albert Place, Darnick and before moving to Haddington he had been employed as a joiner in Melrose. He had enlisted in August 1914 and he fell during the Battle of Festubert which was fought between 15th and 27th May 1915 in support of major French attacks in Artois and which resulted in only minor gains costing the British Army over 16,000 casualties. On 16th May the Battalion was brought up just after noon to hold and consolidate some captured trenches. These trenches were heavily shelled but the troops held on unflinchingly until relieved on the 18th May. Over the three days over 180 Officers and men became casualties including the C. O. Lieutenant Colonel Brook who was mortally wounded. The photos were taken during the battle.