Alex McDonald

Alex McDonald was the most modest and kind man you could hope to meet. He was an ex Sergeant Major with a distinguished war record. It is easy to forget that the matter of fact account of his service which he gave included some of the most notoriously savage engagements that ever took place in North Africa and Italy. The Gordon Highlanders were a superb regiment.  The men they promoted to Sergeant Major and mentioned in despatches were not to be crossed lightly.

There is an account of the Gordon Highlanders in North Africa and Europe that is widely regarded as one of the best written accounts of front line fighting to emerge from the war. The colonel had the foresight to insist that the battalion's history was written and complete before the men were demobbed. Alistair Borthwick, who was one of the officers, was chosen  to write it. This was an inspired choice; Borthwick was a superb journalist.  We cannot recommend the book, Battalion, too highly.  

ALEX McDONALD was a native of Scotland, and proud of it. He received his early education there before going to London, where he received further education, and where he joined the Territorial unit of the London Scottish in September 1939.

From there he was posted to Aberdeen, the home of the mother regiment of the London Scottish - the Gordon Highlanders.

In 1940, attached to the 51st Highland Division RAOC Workshops, he went to France with the B.E.F. But soon to return via Cherbourg, to England and was posted to 2nd Battalion London Scottish, at Llantwit Major. The battalion's orders being to prepare for the defence of St. Athan RAF air base, and the Bristol Channel, in the event of a German invasion of Britain.

Not long after this Alex (popularly known as Mac by Branch Members) found himself on attachment duty with Area Command, Chepstow. But he was soon on the move again, to Ludlow in Shropshire to assist in the opening of a Command Junior Leader School just before Christmas 1940.

Mac enjoyed his stay at Ludlow, but again he moved to HMS Tormentor, Warsash on the Solent, for combined operations training with the Marines. The training was completed at Inverary in Scotland on the Duke of Argyle's estate.

In 1942 Mac embarked at Liverpool for Port Said, and was stationed at Tel El Rebir, Tel Aviv and Gaza, and was with the 4th Indian Division in October 1942 at El Alamein.

Their starting point was Ruiveisat. Ridge and the objective was Kidney Ridge, then on to an airfield at Fuq, Mersa Matru, Mersa Brega, Elagueila, continuing the advance across the desert in pursuit of the enemy.

The 4th Indian and 7th Armoured Divisions were detached from the Eighth Army to reinforce the 1st Army in Tunisia. The plan being that they were to push up each side of the Maiscault Valley from Medjez El Bab. With Longstop Hill on one side they moved up against the enemy, to eventual victory in North Africa.

The next move was the invasion of the island of Pantaleria, midway between Sicily and the Tunisian coast where they met with no opposition. Later landing in Sicily itself, but not involved in any action. Next, on to Salerno but not involved in the initial landings.

Then, by-passing Naples, they crossed the river Volturno to take Teano and Rockamanfino near Casino in October/November 1943. 1t was here that Mac's efforts earned him the distinction of a Mention in Despatches.

After moving to the Gavigliano front to muster in preparation for another objective, Mac found himself on the initial landings at Anzio where, at first, it was quite easy. But, because of hesitancy by the High Command of the operation the enemy was able to concentrate an 'attacking force against the Allied positions. Now, in Mac's own words "it became one hell of a place to be in". Places like "the flyover" and "the factory" will never be forgotten by those who fought there. Mac remembers that just after the first landings a Church Army Canteen, and an Entertainment Troop were landed. These organisations were greatly admired by all servicemen, especially the forward troops.

April 1944 saw Mac back on his way to Egypt to join 1st Battalion London Scottish at Alexandria, then on to Sidi Bish. Back to Italy at Rimini, fighting through Foru and Fuenza and across the rivers Sanio, Sarno and the Po. On to Veneza Giulio, Goritso, Friesto Andonto to Polo on the Yugoslavia border.

Mac was a fine footballer who played with Queens Park in Scotland.  He laughes that because of football, his demob was deferred for six months (the Army was like that). He was then employed by the Civil Service, mainly with the Manpower and Service Agency, until retirement in March 1992. Mac and his wife had two daughters and two grandchildren (boy and girl). He enjoyed gardening, to the extent of keeping it spotlessly tidy, and collected for the Spastics Association (as Scope were then known).

Mac was a valued member of the Branch and, as you would expect, a great organiser.  In addition to becoming President, he was Chairman from 1986 to 1989.