Just 23, the youngest of four Nagambie based brothers, Fen McDonald was said to be a quiet achiever, ‘who let his athleticism do the talking’. He played ten games for Carlton in 1911 and 1912, and just one for Melbourne in 1913, wearing No. 13.
McDonald’s service number was 127. He was one of the first to enlist, becoming a Private in the 7th Battalion, 1st AIF. A useful defender in his brief VFL career, McDonald’s father Patrick would later write in answer to the query on a circular for the Roll of Honour for Australia in the Memorial War Museum that his late son’s ‘other training ‘ was ‘Cattle and Sheep and a Fair Knowledge of Farming’.
He was a good runner, and his enlistment papers give some insight into his character. Alongside questions such as ‘Have you ever been convicted by the Civil Power?’ and ‘Have you ever been rejected as unfit for His Majesty’s Service?’, McDonald firmly replied ‘No!’
The exclamation marks say it all. McDonald wanted to serve, from the very beginning. Little did he know what lay ahead. He embarked at Melbourne on HMAT A20 Hororata on 19 October 1914, bound for Egypt. Signs were that he was restless there, calling it ‘dreary’, despite his enthusiasm at seeing the Pyramids.
Finally it happened. On 5 April 1915, McDonald was one of the many, embarked on Clan McGillivray for the Gallipoli Campaign. His record, short and defined, spells it out bleakly.
Fenley John McDonald was killed in action - some time between 25 April and 2 May 1915. This time span speaks volumes for the chaos of the landing that created Anzac Day. His body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial. He was one of the many who give meaning and form to the annual remembrances that continue to this day.
Back home, his father, Patrick, wrote requesting details of his son’s death - ‘…as I have not heard how he fell, and would so much like to know…’, as well as querying after a ‘great mate’ of Fen’s - Private Edward Dorian, also of the 7th Battalion. Base Records counselled watchful waiting on hearing of the circumstances of Fenley McDonald’s death, but were able to report that Edward Dorian ‘is now reported suffering with bullet wound fingers and elbow, the second occasion of his having been wounded, and was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis…’ Dorian, who had enlisted at No. 98, and would survive the war, had been alongside McDonald ever since enlisting and leaving Australia on Hororata.
But, Fenley John McDonald was one of the thousands, killed in the military disaster that was the Dardanelles. Returned to his family was a brown paper parcel, with wallets, letters, diary, bible, a notebook, lenses - and an antique ink-well. His father, Patrick, years later expressed his thanks for the receipt of Fen’s Memorial Plaque and King’s Message, along with the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal, and the British War Medal. The young stock agent and clerk who had sent postcards to his family in Nagambie was remembered, not only as a ‘manly footballer’, but also as the ‘loved youngest son’ of Patrick and Margaret McDonald.
McDonald’s service number was 127. He was one of the first to enlist, becoming a Private in the 7th Battalion, 1st AIF. A useful defender in his brief VFL career, McDonald’s father Patrick would later write in answer to the query on a circular for the Roll of Honour for Australia in the Memorial War Museum that his late son’s ‘other training ‘ was ‘Cattle and Sheep and a Fair Knowledge of Farming’.
He was a good runner, and his enlistment papers give some insight into his character. Alongside questions such as ‘Have you ever been convicted by the Civil Power?’ and ‘Have you ever been rejected as unfit for His Majesty’s Service?’, McDonald firmly replied ‘No!’
The exclamation marks say it all. McDonald wanted to serve, from the very beginning. Little did he know what lay ahead. He embarked at Melbourne on HMAT A20 Hororata on 19 October 1914, bound for Egypt. Signs were that he was restless there, calling it ‘dreary’, despite his enthusiasm at seeing the Pyramids.
Finally it happened. On 5 April 1915, McDonald was one of the many, embarked on Clan McGillivray for the Gallipoli Campaign. His record, short and defined, spells it out bleakly.
Fenley John McDonald was killed in action - some time between 25 April and 2 May 1915. This time span speaks volumes for the chaos of the landing that created Anzac Day. His body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial. He was one of the many who give meaning and form to the annual remembrances that continue to this day.
Back home, his father, Patrick, wrote requesting details of his son’s death - ‘…as I have not heard how he fell, and would so much like to know…’, as well as querying after a ‘great mate’ of Fen’s - Private Edward Dorian, also of the 7th Battalion. Base Records counselled watchful waiting on hearing of the circumstances of Fenley McDonald’s death, but were able to report that Edward Dorian ‘is now reported suffering with bullet wound fingers and elbow, the second occasion of his having been wounded, and was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis…’ Dorian, who had enlisted at No. 98, and would survive the war, had been alongside McDonald ever since enlisting and leaving Australia on Hororata.
But, Fenley John McDonald was one of the thousands, killed in the military disaster that was the Dardanelles. Returned to his family was a brown paper parcel, with wallets, letters, diary, bible, a notebook, lenses - and an antique ink-well. His father, Patrick, years later expressed his thanks for the receipt of Fen’s Memorial Plaque and King’s Message, along with the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal, and the British War Medal. The young stock agent and clerk who had sent postcards to his family in Nagambie was remembered, not only as a ‘manly footballer’, but also as the ‘loved youngest son’ of Patrick and Margaret McDonald.
