Current Information:

Age-21

4 Gregory Road, Custom House

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium

On 12th February, 1916, 3rd Rifle Brigade of 17 Brigade, 24th Division left the dug-outs at Belgian Chateau (H24a) and moved into the front line at Hooge in the Ypres salient. Their arrival here coincided with a long and violent bombardment of their positions which began at 1am on 13th February and continued, largely unabated, for 2 days and nights. The front line trenches were completely blown in and there were numerous casualties. William Macdonald died of wounds on 16th February and it is likely he was one of the many wounded during this period in the front line.