William Russell McDonald

Killed in Action on the 04/06/1915 at the 3rd Battle of Krithia, Gallipoli

The Battalion were part of the 2nd Brigade, Royal Naval Division. William was Killed in Action as Allied forces tried to extend their Gallipoli beachhead. William joined the Collingwood Battalion on the 04/03/1915. Enlisted 3/11/14 ; Collingwood Bn. "D" Company 2nd Platoon 04/03/1915 - 04/06/191515 DD. The 3rd Battle of Krithia on the 04/06/1915 at Gallipoli : The 2nd Brigade of the Royal Naval Division were on the left of the French with Anson, Hood and Howe. The Collingwood's were in support. The attack was to be a straightforward trench assault, any hold up would open the unit next in line to catastrophic fire from uncaptured Turkish positions. The Collingwood Battalion were in support and "A" Company Collingwood went over at 12.15pm in support of Anson. They suffered heavy losses covering the 400yds to the Turkish trenches. They tried to reach a second trench but were forced to retire. "B" Company Collingwood went up to the communication trench and into the Hood firing line. At 12.10pm they went over the top. Up to 400 yards of No Man's Land lay ahead. They reached the first trench with heavy loses, but by then they did not know of "A" Company's retirement. Reinforcements were ordered, but before they could get there, the Turks had regained the trench on the right and "B" Company were also ordered to retire. "D" Company were ordered into the firing line to support Howe and as soon as they reached there they went over. They reached a dummy trench after 100yds but with no support when they attempted to advance they too retired, again with losses. By 12.45pm 1060 officers and men of the Royal Naval Division lay dead. The Collingwood Battalion received so many casualties that the remaining men were used as Battle Casualty Replacements and the Battalion never reformed. William is also remembered on the Dunbeth Parish Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for William's Newspaper clipping, his listing on the Navy Death Record, his aunt and uncle listed on the North Lanarkshire Electoral Register 1919-1920, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, William's Pension Records x 3 and the Collingwood Battalion Shoulder Title.