Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Donald Macnicol Davidson, known as Don, was born on 19th April1889 at Bundaberg QLD, the 5th of 7 children born to his parents John and Elizabeth Davidson.  He had 2 older sisters, Jessie and Grace, and twin older brothers, John and Walter, plus 2 younger brothers, Leslie and Colin.  He also had 5 half siblings…4 sisters and 1 brother.  Don’s primary education took place at Bundaberg Boys School and upon completing his education he undertook a 3 year apprenticeship with his father who was the pharmacist in Bundaberg.  After gaining his qualifications as a pharmacist Don moved to Kingaroy.  His father passed away in March 1911 and in April 1913 Don moved to Sydney NSW.  In July 1914 he opened his own chemist shop at Mullumbimby NSW then sold that shop 12 months later to enlist for WW1. 

According to Don in a letter he wrote to the Army in 1938, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Mullumbimby NSW but his service record states that he enlisted on 20th July 1915 at Brisbane QLD aged 26.  He’s described as being 5ft 6ins tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.  His service number was 6338, his rank Private and he was assigned to the 7th Field Ambulance, 6th Reinforcements.  He proceeded to Enoggera Camp in Brisbane for training then embarked from Brisbane on 21st October 1915 on HMAT Seang Bee.  He disembarked at Suez, Egypt, on 28th November 1915 then 6 days later embarked from Alexandria on HMT Assaye  and disembarked at Lemnos Island on 7th December 1915 where he was attached to the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital at Mudros.  He remained there till 21st January 1916 when he embarked for Egypt on HMS Dunvegan Castle.  He disembarked at Alexandria and proceeded to Tel-el-Kebir Camp where he transferred to the 3rd Field Ambulance on 2nd February 1916 and then to the 13th Field Ambulance on 27th February 1916.  The next day he was admitted to hospital with influenza and re-joined his unit on 3rd March 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir Camp.  In early April 1916 the unit moved to Serapeum where Don was promoted to Lance Corporal on 10th May 1916.  In late May he was admitted to hospital with orchitis, inflammation of the testicles, and re-joined his unit on 4th June 1916.  The very next day the whole unit entrained for Alexandria where they embarked on HMT Oriana on 6th June 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles, France, on 13th June 1916. 

In early November 1916 when the unit was at D’Olincourt Chateau, Don was admitted to hospital with neurasthenia, the symptoms being fatigue, headache and irritability associated with an emotional disturbance.  He was evacuated by hospital train to Amiens and admitted to 1st New Zealand Stationary Hospital.  A week later he was transferred to 3rd Convalescent Depot at Le Treport then transferred 5 days later to 16th General Hospital also at Le Treport.  On 18th November 1916 he was discharged and proceeded to the Australian General Base Depot (AGBD) at Etaples.  Just 2 weeks later he was admitted to 26th General Hospital at Etaples with PUO…a fever of unknown source.  He was discharged 10 days later and proceeded once again to the AGBD at Etaples.  On 31st December 1916 he proceeded to 3rd Division Base Depot for duty and the next day was appointed Temporary Staff Sergeant. 

Don transferred to 9th Field Ambulance on 22nd April 1917 and took leave to England till early May 1917.  In early December 1917 Don proceeded to the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Le Havre then on 18th April 1918 he was promoted to Extra-Regimental Staff Sergeant and transferred to 1st Convalescent Depot at Rouelles just north of Le Havre.  Throughout 1918 he took leave to Paris and England then in mid-February he proceeded to No. 3 Australian Base Reception Camp at Rouelles.  On 30th March 1919 he embarked from Le Havre for England and return to Australia.  He disembarked at Southampton the next day and proceeded to No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny.  He was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford Camp and discharged on 10th October 1919.  He was posted for duty to the same hospital 6 days later then 2 months later was attached for duty to the AIF Headquarters in London. 

In early 1920 Don married Ethel Winters (Effie) at Pontefract, Yorkshire UK.  On 12th March 1920 Don and his bride embarked from England on HMAT Ceramic for Australia with Don having nursing duties on the ship for the return voyage.  They disembarked at Sydney on 6th May 1920 and proceeded by train to Brisbane.  Don was discharged from the service on 11th July 1920. 

Don and Effie moved to New Zealand in the early 1920s where Don continued to practice as a pharmacist firstly at Milford and then at Takapuna both suburbs of Auckland NZ.  They never had any children. 

Don passed away on 9th November 1971 at his home at Takapuna NZ aged 81.  He was cremated the next day at Purewa Cemetery in Auckland NZ. 

Donald Macnicol Davidson was awarded for service in WW1 the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 10th April 2023.