Canada, CEF. A Medal Group to Lieutenant MacDonald; 7th Canadian Mounted Rifle Battalion

Canada; British War Medal (LIEUT. G.A. MAC DONALD.); Victory Medal (LIEUT. G.A. MAC DONALD.); and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, George V (CAPT. G.A. MacDONALD 9 Horse). Naming is officially impressed on the First War pair, the CAFOD is mechanically engraved. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, original ribbons, scattered gilt wear on the CAFOD, edge nicks on the BWM and VM, contact marks. Accompanied by a Miniature Group of Same: British War Medal (silver, 18 mm); Victory Medal (bronze, 18.2 mm); and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, George V (silver gilt, 16 mm x 28.2 mm). The First War pair are mounted together, the CAFOD is independent, each with original ribbons and pinbacks, scattered gilt wear on the VM, traces of gilt remains on the CAFOD. Very fine. Footnote: George Allen MacDonald was born on April 15, 1884 in East Nissouri Township, Oxford County, Ontario, near London. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Lieutenant with the 7th Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifle Battalion, on March 30, 1915 in London, Ontario, at the age of 30, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Muriel Douglas MacDonald of London, stating that he had six years' previous service with the 24th Greys Horse, that he was Married and that he was employed in the Civil Service. He was inoculated in London. His unit sailed on June 9, 1915 and embarked in England on June 17th. One year later, Lieutenant MacDonald proceeded to the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifle Battalion on June 17, 1916. He landed in France on the 18th, left for his unit on the 23rd and arrived with them in the field on the 24th. He was verified in the rank of Lieutenant on May 2, 1917. After one year in the European theatre, MacDonald's health had begun to come into question, as he had been gassed on three different occasions, although he continued to soldier on. He was with the Canadian Corps when he was transferred to England for the purpose of proceeding for leave to Canada and was posted to the 2nd Quebec Regimental Depot at Shoreham on June 15, 1917. He was granted special leave to Canada, effective June 22nd, until August 22nd, returning to London, Ontario. Once in Canada, it was deemed that his medical issues were more serious than first thought. Having been retained in Canada for medical treatment, he was officially struck off strength of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada, to the CEF in Canada. In his first Medical History of an Invalid report, dated August 14, 1917 in London, the doctor described MacDonald's condition: "This officer states he does not sleep well nor eat well. He is 30 lbs under weight. There is a coarse tremor in (the) muscles of both hands, knee reflexes exaggerated, other reflexes normal. He is anemic and more or less restless when quietly observed. He states he had a little gassing on three different occasions in France but not sufficient to lay him off duty. Heart, lungs and other organs normal." The doctor recommended "that he be granted three months convalescence at home to expire Nov. 14/17." MacDonald was declared Category "D" (Temporarily Unfit) and Categories "A. B, C" (Unfit for Service = General Service, Service Abroad and Home Service in Canada only). He was transferred to "F" Unit, Military Hospitals Commission of Canada (MHCC) Command in London on October 1. 1917. In his second Medical History of an Invalid report, dated October 25, 1917 in London, the doctor noted that MacDonald's condition had improved since the last report conducted six and a half weeks earlier: "He now sleeps and eats well. Faint tremor of outstretched hands. Knee jerks somewhat exaggerated and he is quite nervous. Is somewhat restless. He can walk a mile easily at good gait. Looks quite robust and feels able to do light work. Heart rapid. Pulse rate 110, standing. Weight now is nearly normal." It also noted that MacDonald had a "small pitted scar from (a) boil (on his) right cheek and (a) small circular outer aspect (on his) right wrist". The doctor recommended that MacDonald be discharged and declared Category "C" (Home Service in Canada only) and definitely for "light duty in Canada". It was noted that without treatment, his incapacity would be about five percent, in order to earn a livelihood in the untrained labour market. It was estimated that he would require one month more in order to recover and that he be allowed to continue to be treated at the Military Hospitals Commission of Canada in London. Lieutenant George Allen MacDonald, 7th Canadian Mounted Rifle Battalion was struck off strength as "Medically Unfit" on November 3, 1917 in London, Ontario, credited with having served in Canada, England, Belgium and France. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. MacDonald was later promoted to Captain and was with the 9th Mississauga Horse when he received his Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration by Government Order 13 in 1926.