John Alexander MacDonald - 859843
- Sean Maas-Stevens
- Jan 22
- 1 min read
Updated: Mar 6
John Alexander MacDonald was born in Brigden, Ontario on 22 June 1881. A Brakeman by trade, and a member of the Militia in the 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada (“…the oldest highland regiment in western Canada” ref C), he enrolled with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) on 24 March 1916 at Winnipeg, Manitoba. At that time, his permanent residence was in Elmwood, Ontario.
Being found fit for service, his service began as a Private with the 179th Battalion in Winnipeg. He was posted to Camp Hughes, a training camp established in 1915 and named for Sam Hughes, the Canadian Minister of the Militia and Defence. It featured simulated battlefield terrain, rifle ranges, grenade ranges, and was in service until 1934. From June to October 1916, he moved in and out of the Camp Hughes Hospital six times, and then spent a month a month in the Saint Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.
His time in the hospital was likely due to Sciatica through his legs which had been aggravated by the cold and wet conditions of his training. This condition resulted in Private MacDonald being posted to the No. 10 Casualty Unit in 1918. Subsequently, a medical review board found him unfit for military service, and recommended his discharge from the CEF on 27 April 1918.
Private John Alexander MacDonald was released from the CEF on 6 June 1918 and returned to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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