Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 117 continued ... Cpl Douglas Bertram MacDonald, 22nd Canadian Field Ambulance, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Douglas was born on 17 Mar 1917 in London, England. He was the oldest of five sons of Bertram and Grace (Taylor) MacDonald. Douglas was born in England but lived in Halifax, N.S. arriving in Pictou N.S. in 1921 with his parents and then moving to Halifax in July of 1924. Cpl MacDonald enlisted on 2 Sept 1939 in Halifax, N.S., one day before war was declared. He did his training at Aldershot in 1940 and spent much of the remaining time in the U.K. gaining promotion to Corporal and being awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and clasp in 1943. On 6 June 1944 Cpl MacDonald came ashore on Juno beach in Normandy. It was here that Cpl MacDonald was killed, but not before fulfilling his duty, providing medical care and attention to his comrades who had fallen on the sand. Cpl MacDonald’s bravery and devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire was recognized, and he was posthumously awarded the Military Medal, with the following citation: “On the morning of 6 June 1944 during the assault on the beach at SaintAubin-Sur-Mer, Cpl MacDonald was engaged with his section in collecting and treating casualties. Mortar and machine gun fire was heavy and continuous. Several casualties were seen to occur at the east end of the beach wall. On his own initiative and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Cpl MacDonald collected three stretcher bearers and crawled thirty yards to render first aid to those casualties. While so engaged, a mortar shell exploded a few feet from them killing two of the bearers, wounded a third and severely wounding Cpl MacDonald about the face. Still conscious, but blinded, he retained presence of mind and attempted to crawl to the shelter of the sea wall. He was removed and treated by other members of the section. Throughout the entire action until becoming a casualty, Cpl MacDonald showed complete fearlessness and great initiative and leadership. His conduct was in every way an inspiration to the men in his section” Cpl MacDonald succumbed to his wounds that day on Juno Beach and is buried at Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in France. Major Hugh Murray MacLeod, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Canadian Army Hugh was born on 1 Jan 1919 in Glace Bay, N.S. He was the son of Alexander and Margaret Marion (Ross) MacLeod. Hugh’s older brother Sgt Alex MacLeod also served overseas in France. Alex served in the 1st Hussars, a tank regiment attached to the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade, which played a prominent role in the success of the D-Day landing. Sgt Alex MacLeod undertook actions at great risk to his own safety, which earned him a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his initiative, determination, and outstanding courage. Major Hugh MacLeod served in the militia with the 1st Battalion, Pictou Highlanders as of 1936, and the 2nd Battalion, Pictou Highlanders as of 1940, and enlisted for active service in WWII at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant with the North Nova Scotia continued ...
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