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McDonald, George Cross, B.A. '04 (McGill). Occupation: unknown. Medals/Honours: Military Cross (MC) [Fetherstonhaugh, R. C. McGill University at War, 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 (Montreal: McGill University, 1947), 397]. Military Service: Lieut.-Major, M.C., 2nd University Co., PPCLI, Attestation Papers. Diary References: “I sat down and wrote a letter to Capt. [George C.] McDonald telling him the facts,” “Learned from Lt. [G. C.] McDonald that we are to stay together as a distinct unit as reinforcements for the PPCLI,” 1:14 Jun ’15; “Leslie Hancock was alright also Major McDonald … ,”Major McDonald at Mons, 7:30 Nov ’18. [photo p. 18 McGill University at War] Hodder-Williams, 83, adds that Major McDonald was wounded 16 Sep 1916 and 26 August 1918. He was with the 7th Bridge Headquarters (G.S.O. 3) from July to September 1916., and was struck off strength for service with the Khaki University, 14 December 1918.
Additional Biographical Information:
16 October 1915: “On arrival at Morcourt we found Major Gault and Lts. Cornish, McDonald, Molson, McKenzie, and Curry, who had just arrived from the base at Shorncliff for duty.”
War Diary of the PPCLI, October, 1915
27 July 1916: At “Rest Billets Steenvoorde Area,” “Captain G. C. McDonald on this date was appointed as Staff Capt. To the 7th Brigade taking the place of Major Critchley who has been appointed to the General Staff, 3rd Can. Division.”
War Diary of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, July 1916, p. 18.
16 September 1916: 6:10 p.m., “Capt. MacDonald, 7th Bde. Staff reported wounded [at the Battle of Courcelette].” War Diary of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, September 1916, Appendix F, page 6. Capt. McDonald had been attached to 7th Brigade Headquarters from July to September 1916.
Hodder-Williams, 83.
September 1916: Nominal Roll of Officers and Other Ranks of 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade Recommended for Immediate Reward. Brigade Headquarters Capt. George Cross MacDonald [sic], (P.P.C.L.I.) Staff Capt., D.S.O.
War Diary of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, September 1916, Appendix L, p. 3.
12 November 1916
In a letter to his wife Mabel, dated Neuville-St. Vaast, 12 November 1916, Lt. Col. Agar Adamson wrote, “Captain George Macdonald of ours, who was wounded badly in September, had I hear, a very interesting wife, now in England, one of the characters of Montreal. It might interest you to look him up, if nothing better to do. She, I think, from what I hear, would amuse you. He was Staff Captain to our Brigade when hit, he was badly shot and one of his wounds will result in his being impotent for life.” Letters of Agar Adamson 1914 to 1919, 233.
Post War
George Cross McDonald and his cousin George Selkirk Currie, who also served with the PPCLI, founded Coopers & Lybrand Canada after World War I was over. For pictures of both men, see PricewaterhouseCoopers.