There is no official records for this man- no attestation, nothing on Virtual  War Memorial nor on the NAA. This story is garnered from various websites

 BACKGROUND

Henry was on the 4^th of January 1886 at Moruya, son of Alexander McDonald and Louise McDonald, who resided on the South Coast. He was educated at Tilba on the south coast of NSW

On the 12 October 1910 he married Helena May Costello in Murwillumbah. According to NSWBDM they had a daughter, Mary, in 1911 in Murwillumbah.

APPLICATION

Henry enlisted on 1^st June 1916 at Lismore and was 33 years of age at enlistment. His next of kin, his wife, Helena, is listed as living in Railway St, Murwillumbah. He was in the 11^th machine section with service number 511

TRAINING MELBOURNE

The 11th Machine Gun Company was raised in Victoria during early 1916. Since Henry embarked from Melbourne on Ballarat, he was almost certainly trained in Victoria before sailing. The strongest possibility is Seymour Military Camp, Victoria's principal training centre during the war.

By 1916 Seymour had become a vast tented city housing thousands of recruits. Most Victorian infantry, machine-gun, engineer and reinforcement drafts passed through Seymour at some stage. Here Henry would have undergone:

·      Musketry training.

·      Physical training and route marches.

·      Bayonet drill.

·      Field exercises.

·      Trench construction.

·      Gas precautions.

·      General military discipline.

·      Machine Gun Training

Because he was destined for a machine-gun unit, Henry would have received specialist instruction on the Vickers machine gun, one of the most technically demanding weapons in the AIF.

Training included:

·      Stripping and assembling the gun.

·      Clearing stoppages.

·      Range estimation.

·      Indirect fire techniques.

·      Water-cooling system maintenance.

·      Ammunition handling.

·      Gun emplacement and camouflage.

A Vickers crew had to function almost like a small engineering team. Men learned to carry heavy loads of guns, tripods, ammunition and water over long distances.

CONDITIONS AT SEYMOUR

Life at Seymour was rigorous rather than comfortable. The men generally lived in bell tents holding several soldiers. Dust in summer and mud in winter were constant complaints. Days began early with reveille, parade, drill and training until evening.

The camp had:

·      Rifle ranges.

·      Parade grounds.

·      Training trenches.

·      Horse lines.

·      Medical facilities.

·      Recreation huts run by organisations such as the YMCA.

Although food was plain, recruits were usually well fed. Bread, meat, tea, potatoes and stews formed the basis of most meals.

Henry's days would have been filled with a mixture of ordinary military training and specialist machine-gun work. The Vickers gun was a remarkably reliable weapon but required a well-trained crew. He would have learned not only how to fire it but also how to maintain the water-cooling system, replace damaged parts, calculate fields of fire, estimate ranges, and keep the gun operating continuously during battle. A machine-gun team carried enormous quantities of ammunition, spare parts, water cans and tools, so physical conditioning was important.

The camp itself was a bustling place. Thousands of men were constantly arriving, training and departing. Rows of bell tents stretched across the paddocks around Seymour. Summer could be brutally hot and dusty, while rain turned the camp into mud. Reveille came early, followed by drill, musketry, physical training and specialist instruction. The men spent long hours on parade grounds and rifle ranges, punctuated by route marches through the surrounding countryside.

The camp could be uncomfortable. Winter 1916 in central Victoria was cold, with frosty mornings and muddy parade grounds. Bell tents offered little insulation. Men slept on palliasse mattresses stuffed with straw, using military blankets for warmth.

Despite the hardships, morale was often high. There were sporting competitions, boxing tournaments, concerts and visits into Seymour township. The YMCA and other welfare organisations provided reading rooms, writing materials and recreation.

Why such a long Australian training period?

The long interval between June 1916 and February 1917 suggests that Henry was among the original intake building the 11th Machine Gun Company rather than a last-minute reinforcement.

By the time he boarded Ballarat, he would have been considered a trained machine-gunner and part of a cohesive unit. He was not merely a recruit heading overseas to learn his trade; he was already expected to be capable of operating one of the most important support weapons on the Western Front.

INNOCULATIONS

All recruits were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.

THE UNIFORM

The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.

SOLDIER’S KIT

Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.

·      Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.

·      Braces: worn with breeches.

·      Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.

·      Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.

·      Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.

·      Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.

·      Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.

·      Jersey

·      Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.

·      Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.

·      Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.

·      Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.

·      Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.

·      Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.

·      Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.

·      Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.

·      They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.

·      No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid five shillings a day.

BEFORE EMBARKATION

Prior to boarding Ballarat, Henry would have undergone final medical inspections, equipment issue and embarkation leave

VOYAGE OVERSEAS MELBOURNE TO FRANCE FEBRUARY 1917

HMAT Ballarat departed Melbourne for England on 19 February 1917, its fourth voyage from Australia since being requisitioned as a troopship.

Ballarat carried an estimated 1,740 troops, including Corporal James Kenneth Donald of the 2nd Section, Australian Railway Troops. Corporal Donald kept a personal diary during the voyage that is now held with the Official Historian Arthur W. Jose’s papers in the Research Centre’s Official Records collection. Recalling the vessel’s departure, Donald wrote, “A good many of those on board had to brush away a tear or two as the time for parting drew near.” Ballarat lingered only briefly, as soldiers and families came to terms with the painful reality that they might never be reunited.

 

Alongside his comrades, Henry marched aboard, his boots ringing on the gangway. As the ship’s lines were cast off and the quay began to slip away, the reality of war lay ahead, but for now, the sea breeze carried only the sound of voices and the excitement of men bound for adventure, duty, and the unknown.

The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On the voyage, due to overcrowding, training was limited to mainly to lectures and a little physical training.

SLEEPING & LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Recruits likely slept in a crowded troop deck below, where rows of hammocks or three-tier wooden bunks were crammed close together.

Air below decks could be stuffy, especially in warmer climates, and seasickness was common during the first few days.

DAILY ROUTINE

Reveille early each morning, followed by physical exercises on the open decks (weather permitting). There were parades and inspections—officers ensured uniforms, rifles, and kit were clean and in order. Training was a little problematic—drill without much space, rifle maintenance, lectures on military discipline, signalling, and trench warfare theory. The ship’s decks were used for marching in tight circles or practising bayonet thrusts into stuffed sacks. Rifle shooting was impossible at sea, so soldiers learned to strip and clean their weapons until it was second nature.

MEALS

Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. The meals were served in shifts from the ship’s galley. Queues were long, and eating on a rolling ship meant many tried to eat quickly before nausea set in.

HEALTH & SANITATION

Shipboard hygiene was critical—every man was ordered to scrub his section daily to prevent disease. Saltwater baths were the norm, with freshwater rationed for drinking.

THE VOYAGE EXPERIENCE

Entertainment included church drill, concerts, singalongs, card games, and makeshift cricket matches on deck when the weather allowed. In an attempt to keep up morale, an area of the ship was roped off where regular boxing and wrestling tournaments were held. This became commonly known as the Stoush Stadium. No letters could be sent until they reached port, but men often wrote diaries or unsent letters to be posted later.

The troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection

CROSSING THE EQUATOR CEREMONY

The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

SIGHTS AT SEA

On the way to Egypt, where the ship would refuel & take on supplies, the ship would pass through the Great Australian Bight, cross the Indian Ocean, and stop at Colombo (Ceylon now Sri Lanka) for coal and supplies as well as South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA

Many of the men were disappointed to learn that they would not be making port in Durban, stopping only in Cape Town. Their disappointment faded at daybreak, when the distant peak of Table Mountain — Cape Town’s most famous landmark — emerged from the mist. Donald captured the moment vividly, “The sun rise in the mist was really fine and we saw the Mountain at its best with the clouds hanging low just on the top forming the famous ‘Table Cloth’.”

On 10 April, Ballarat departed Cape Town, joining a convoy for the final leg of the voyage. The threat of submarines loomed during the passage to England and orders were issued instructing all men on board to wear or at least carry their lifebelts. Submarine observation crews, consisting of senior non-commissioned officers, were appointed to keep watch for enemy submarines between sunrise and sunset.

SECURITY

By late 1914, German raiders were active, so lifeboat drills were frequent, and lookouts kept watch for suspicious ships. Troopships generally sailed in convoys or at least took zig-zag courses to make torpedo attacks harder. Ships often travelled under blackout conditions at night, with lookouts specifically watching for periscopes or torpedo wakes. The danger was greatest in the Western Approaches near Britain, where U-boats patrolled choke points like the English Channel and Irish Sea.

EGYPT

After several weeks at sea, the men finally saw the dusty shoreline of Port Said or Alexandria. They could only wonder at the sights and sounds they could see as they watched the ship being refuelled and goods taken on board

TORPEDOED 25^TH APRIL 1917

The day of 25 April 1917 began like many others on Ballarat. Despite the increased danger, the soldiers were in good spirits because their destination, Devonport, was only 24 hours away. They were looking forward to being ashore after a two-month voyage from Australia.

Even the sighting of a submarine at 9 am could not dampen the mood, as the convoy’s destroyer escort reinforced the perception that Ballarat was safe.

The calm was shattered just after 2 pm when the alarm sounded. A torpedo had been sighted racing toward the vessel from around 500 yards away. Moments later, “a dull thud was heard,” and, Donald recorded, “the torpedo struck us about 12 yards from the stern”.

Ballarat was limping, about 90 miles away from Devonport. Being struck by the torpedo caused panic and excitement, but the troops ensured a speedy evacuation by assembling at their designated lifeboat positions, leaving behind their personal possessions. Most were eventually rescued by British destroyers HMS Hardy and HMS Phoenix.

A small minesweeper picked up the remaining crew from boats that had drifted away. The following day the crew was informed that Ballarat had gone down, dashing any hopes that their belongings might be saved.

That not a single life was lost in the sinking of the Ballarat stands as a lasting testament to the extraordinary courage of the ship’s crew and the troops on board.

Concluding his diary, James Kenneth Donald wrote, “In looking back, one cannot help but feel proud of his gallant comrades of that eventful trip and to know that one and all in some manner, did his bit.”

ENGLAND

The men finally saw the green shoreline of England. The reality of leaving home truly sank in. Their early introduction to the war brought home how close they were to joining it.

TRAINING CAMP

When recruits reached England, they were marched into one of many training camps. When the recruits arrived in England, they entered a period of intensive preparation that was both physically demanding and strategically vital. During an interim period, soldiers typically:

·      Recovered from the voyage: After long sea travel from Australia, troops needed time to rest and regain strength.

·      Underwent medical inspections: To check for illnesses, infections, or conditions like venereal disease that might delay their training.

·      Received equipment and uniforms: This included British-issued gear better suited to the Western Front.

·      Were assigned to training battalions: Administrative processing sorted soldiers into reinforcement drafts for specific front-line battalions.

·      Drilled lightly: They performed light drills, parades, and familiarisation routines while waiting for formal training slots to open.

Then formal training began. Life in camp was austere and relentless. The recruits lived in wooden huts that offered little protection from the English weather, and the damp cold of the Plain came as a shock to men who had trained in Australia and/or Egypt. Days began early, often before dawn, with physical training designed to build endurance and toughness. Long route marches across the open downs were a regular feature, men carrying full packs, rifles, ammunition, and equipment as they were conditioned for the demands of trench warfare.

Training was systematic and increasingly realistic. The men would have spent many hours on the parade ground mastering drill, weapon handling, and unit manoeuvres, but the focus soon shifted to battlefield skills. The battalion practised trench warfare techniques, including entering and clearing enemy trenches, bombing drills with Mills grenades, bayonet fighting, and the rapid consolidation of captured positions.

Musketry training was constant. The men would have fired thousands of rounds on the rifle ranges, honing accuracy, and speed, learning to fire from awkward positions and under time pressure. Lewis gun teams trained separately, while all infantrymen were taught how to operate the weapon if needed. Gas warfare instruction was also compulsory; men practised donning respirators under simulated gas attacks, a grim but necessary preparation for conditions at the front.

Between training cycles, the battalion undertook further instruction at nearby camps on Salisbury Plain, including periods at Perham Down, another major training area used to relieve overcrowding and provide additional field space. Here the emphasis was on large-scale exercises involving entire brigades, practising attacks behind creeping artillery barrages, night operations, and movement under cover. These exercises often lasted days, with men sleeping in the open, reinforcing the endurance and discipline required for front-line service.

Despite the hard routine, there were moments of respite. When training schedules allowed, the men may have been granted short leave to nearby towns such as Salisbury or even London, where Australian soldiers briefly escaped the rigours of camp life. These interludes, however, were short-lived, and the training intensified as the battalion’s departure for France drew closer.

After many months of continuous preparation in England, the men were judged ready for active service. The recruits had been transformed from a newly arrived reinforcement into a fully trained infantryman, accustomed to discipline, hardship, and the mechanics of modern war. When the battalion finally crossed to France, it did so as a cohesive and well-drilled unit, prepared—so far as training could allow—for the brutal realities of the Western Front.

PROMOTED TO TEMPORARY CORPORAL

At some time in his service, he was promoted to Temporary Corporal.

THE THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES KNOWN AS BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE, (JULY 31–NOVEMBER 6, 1917),

This battle that served as a vivid symbol of the mud, madness, and senseless slaughter of the Western Front. The third and longest battle to take place at the Belgian city of Ypres, Passchendaele was ostensibly an Allied victory, but it was achieved at enormous cost for a piece of ground that would be vacated the following year. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers on opposing sides attacked and counterattacked across sodden, porridgelike mud, in an open gray landscape almost empty of buildings or natural cover, all under the relentless harrowing rain of exploding shells, flying shrapnel, and machine-gun fire. Few gains were made. 

The Third Battle of Ypres is remembered for its immense human cost and the resilience of those who fought in it

WOUNDED IN ACTION- GASSED OCTOBER 1917

Henry was gassed in this battle as well as receiving other wounds, unknown. Gas casualties in late 1917 were often caused by mustard gas, which the Germans had introduced that year. Unlike earlier gases, a soldier could be contaminated without immediately realising it, and symptoms might not become severe for several hours. Many men who were "gassed" never lost consciousness but were nevertheless evacuated because their eyes, skin or lungs had been affected.

During World War I, the treatment of soldiers exposed to poison gas was a challenging and evolving process. Medical personnel had to adapt quickly to the devastating effects of chemical warfare, which included respiratory damage, blindness, and severe burns.

DIED FROM WOUNDS

Henry died from his wounds on the 22^nd October 1917

BURIAL

Henry is buried in St. Sever Cemetery extension, Rouen P. III. O. 9A.

MEMORIAL

He is listed on the Murwillumbah War Memorial & the Bangalow-Clunes Great War Honour Roll and Memorial Sculpture. Henry Alexander MacDonald's name is located at panel 178 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial

 

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