Award Military Medal Pte. A. McDonald, 7th Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Escaper & Evader)

brithm · Aug 25, 2024

Pte. Alexander McDonald, 7th Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 51st Highland Division
Service No.: 2985031
Award: Military Medal

McDONALD was taken prisoner near ABBEVILLE in June 1940.

His first attempt to escape was from a shoe factory in June 1942. He and 6 others had saved food and money and wore working dress over their battle dress and escaped through a window from which the bars had been removed. They split up and McDONALD and his friend were free for 8 day but were arrested while trying to board a goods train.

He made another attempt while working in a stone quart by breaking down door of his billet. This time he was only free for a day and when recaptured was taken to hospital on account of an injury to his foot.

In the summer of 1943, he was moved from hospital back to his working camp. Om the way, while the train was travelling at approximately 15 mph McDONALD jumped from the train while a Canadian distracted the attention of the guard. He was seen from the train and the guard fire but fortunately missed him. He changed into civilian clothes which he had underneath his battle dress and which he had made while in hospital and walked and travelled short distances by train until he reached METZ. He was discovered when a routine check was taken and his identity revealed.

McDONALD made two more escapes while working in salt mines, first by jumping the wire with several others but was captured two days later and secondly hiding in a wagon of salt marked for export. The wagon unfortunately was sent to Poland and he was arrested.

He made several other attempts to escape from working camps, none of which were successful for more than a day or two.

In April 1945 McDONALD was liberated by the Americans.
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WO 373/101/557

Name: A McDonald . Service number: 2985031 . Date of birth: 12 June 1918 . | The National Archives

Private A McDonald (service number 2985031). Service: Army, Argyll and Sutherland... | The National Archives

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Award Military Medal Pte. A. McDonald, 7th Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Escaper & Evader)

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Award Military Medal Pte. A. McDonald, 7th Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Escaper & Evader)

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