Sergeant James Francis McDonald
88769 19th Machine Gun Corps
Killed in Action 9th Septemeber 1919
Lived at 11 Forest Street
Buried in Murmansk New British Cemetery, Russia
Burnley Express 20th September 1919

James Francis McDonald was born in Burnley the son James Francis and Hannah Maria MacDonald of 50 Hart Street and later of 11 Forest Street. He enlisted in Nelson in 1914 aged 16 as Private T/136003 in the Royal Army Service Corps and later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was killed in Russia aged 21 on Tuesday 9th September 1919 having reached the rank of Serjeant 88767 in the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). He was buried at Syvatnovotolok Chyd and is commemorated at the Murmansk New British Cemetery, Russian Federation Special Memorial B 19.

The Burnley Express of Oct 9 1915 reported him to be in hospital in Malta having been wounded by a bullet in the right shoulder and another in the left upper side of the chest. He formerly attended St Peter’s School and worked at Coronation Mill before enlisting.

The Burnley Express of Sept. 20th 1919 reported:-
“Killed In Russia. Sad News For Burnley Family.
Although the war proper has been over some time, we are reminded that one theatre is still unsettled by the news of Russian casualties. This week Mr and Mrs Macdonald, of 11 Forest Street, Burnley, have received the sad news that their son, Sergt. James Francis Macdonald, 88767, Machine Gun Corps was killed in action on September 9th. He only sailed for Russia on August 16th and the information came as a very great shock.
Sergt. Macdonald, who was only 21 years of age now, joined the army in 1914, when only a little over 16 years of age, and served with the A.S.C. He was wounded in the Dardenelles campaign in 1915 and was sent back to England. After recovery he went back to France and joined the M.G.C. for which there was a great call at the time, but went through the rest of the war safely.
He was demobilised in April last on Reserve, but rejoined the army on June 24th, and was a volunteer for Russia. His people last heard from him when he sailed in August. Sergt. Macdonald had always been a St Peter’s day and Sunday Scholar, and was well known in that district. He was single. A brother served throughout the war, and was one of those saved aboard the ‘Royal Edward’.”

Notes.
James Francis MacDonald was christened at St Peter’s Church on 31/5/1899. His parents were James Francis and Hannah Maria MacDonald of Hart Street. His father’s occupation was listed as tailor.

Frances(!?) Macdonald was admitted to St Peter’s Infant School on 14/4/1902. Born on 17/4/99. Mother was Hannah MacDonald of 50 Hart Street. Francis was admitted to St. Peter’s Mixed School from St Peter’s Infant School on 29/7/1907. His father was James F. MacDonald and he left on 14/4/ 1912 for fulltime work.

1901 Census – 50 Hart Street – James MacDonald (38) tailor born London,
Hannah (34) tailoress born Leeds, George G. (5), May A (3), James F. (2) all born in Burnley.