Private James Gordon MacDonald—Killed in Action May 17, 1944

 James Gordon MacDonald was born in Greenwood, near Thorburn, Pictou County, on June 12, 1922, the only child of Alexander “Sanders” and Vera Gladys (Jordan) MacDonald. Alexander was a native of Stellarton, NS, the son of David and Lydia Ann “Annie” (Marshall) MacDonald. Gladys was born in Goldenville, Guysborough County, the daughter of James Gordon and Ella May (Helpard) Jordan.

Private James Gordon MacDonald

 

Gladys and Alexander were married at the Presbyterian Manse, Thorburn, on January 23, 1922. At the time of his wedding, Alexander was working as a “brakeman.” The 1931 Canadian census lists “Sanders,” Gladys and their nine-year-old son James Gordon living in Thorburn. At that time, Alexander was working in the local coal mines.

Gordon attended school for nine years, leaving at age 16 to work at a variety of jobs. He was employed as a “tire adjuster” at Dominion Rubber Company for a year and a half. He also drove a truck and did “service station work” for two years. At the time of his 1942 enlistment, he had been working as a service station attendant for Mr. Harold March, Halifax, for two years. While employed, Gordon learned to drive cars and trucks, was capable of completing “minor repairs” to vehicles, and had “supervised men.”

Gordon was active in a number of sports—baseball, hockey, softball, swimming and tennis—and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also played the violin and sang. His pastimes included reading, attending dances and shows, and playing his violin.

On November 10, 1942, Gordon enlisted with the Canadian Active Service Force. He was residing at 32 Inglis St., Halifax. It appears that his parents had parted ways some time earlier, as Gladys was living at the same address. Meanwhile, Sanders resided in Greenwood. Gordon stated that he was his mother’s “sole support,” providing her with the sum of $40.00 a month. While he initially listed his father as next of kin, he later re-assigned this role to his mother.

A Personnel Selection Record interview with Gordon, conducted shortly after his enlistment, described him in these words:

“Well-built, healthy young man, Neat, tidy appearance. Pleasant, friendly and willing. Capable, co-operative and dependable. Held responsible position with Dominion Rubber Company as air adjuster for the Maritime Provinces. Likes the army and would like to work on cars or trucks in any unit.”

The interviewer recommended an “Infantry (Motor)” placement, as this was in keeping with his work experience and interests.

On November 20, Gordon was posted to No. 60 Basic Training Centre, Yarmouth, NS, for the initial stage of military training. In late January 1943, he was transferred to No. 14 Infantry Training Centre, Aldershot, for advanced instruction. Gordon remained there until mid-May, when he departed for overseas, arriving in the United Kingdom on May 22, 1943.

Gordon was immediately assigned to No. 7 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit (CIRU) and awaited orders to report to an infantry unit. After a nine-day leave in mid-June, he was assigned to the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade’s reinforcement list on July 22, 1943. He remained in the UK for the rest of the year, spending five days in mid-December working with 12 Field Hygiene Section, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, before returning to No. 7 CIRU.

The New Year saw several important developments in Gordon’s military career. On February 4, 1944, he was transferred to No. 3 CIRU. Shortly afterward, he changed his next of kin from his father Alexander to his mother Gladys, an indication that active military service was imminent. On February 18, Gordon was assigned to the Canadian Army’s Mediterranean Force. Shortly afterward, he departed for the region, disembarking in Italy on March 3, 1944. He was immediately placed on the Royal Canadian Regiment’s reinforcement list.

The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) was initially established as the Infantry School Corps on December 21, 1883, and formed the infantry portion of Canada’s permanent military force. After transitioning through several name changes, the unit was officially designated the Royal Canadian Regiment on November 1, 1901.

The RCR was called to active duty on August 6, 1914, and served overseas for the duration of the First World War. Once again mobilized after the September 10, 1939 Canadian declaration of war on Germany, the RCR departed Halifax on December 22, 1939, and arrived in the United Kingdom eight days later.

The unit briefly deployed in France from June 13 to 17, 1940, landing at Brest and advancing inland as far as Chateaubriand before the rapid collapse of French forces in the face of a massive German invasion resulted in a quick retreat to Brest and return to the UK. The RCR’s personnel spent the next three years training and fulfilling various defensive roles in England and Scotland.

On June 28, 1943, the RCR departed from Gourock, Scotland, as part of an Allied Mediterranean Force destined for Italy. The unit was part of the 1st Canadian Division’s 1st Brigade, where it served alongside two Ontario units, the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment and the 48th Highlanders of Canada (Toronto).

On July 10, the RCR’s soldiers were among the Allied units that landed at Pachino, Sicily, as the Allied invasion of Italy commenced. In less than two months, the invading forces had liberated the island. On September 3, the RCR crossed the Strait of Messina to a beach north of Riggio as part of a Canadian invasion of the southernmost portion of the Italian mainland. Over the next eight months, the Canadians pushed northward, moving up the mountainous central region of the Italian peninsula before veering east to coastal plains along the Adriatic Sea.

Meanwhile, a large Allied force led by the United States landed south of Naples, Italy, one week after the Canadians and proceeded northward along the western coast. By year’s end, the Canadians were anchoring the eastern portions of an Allied line north of the recently liberated town of Ortona. Both sides settled into their positions for the winter months, awaiting the resumption of active combat in the spring of 1944.

In late April 1944, Canadian units in the Adriatic sectors north of Ortona were relieved and quietly made their way inland. The RCR arrived in the Oratino area, north of Campobasso, Italy, on April 22 and encamped for several days’ rest. Before month’s end, the soldiers exchanged their winter battledress for bush shorts and slacks. On April 30, the unit relocated to a location 16 kilometers north of Lucera.

Several days of training in conjunction with a British tank regiment followed. On May 4, the unit was on the move again, heading southwest through mountainous terrain to billets 16 kilometers east of Caserta. Personnel carefully camouflaged their vehicles and equipment to avoid enemy identification. As far as German commanders were concerned, the Canadians were still on the Adriatic coast.

The following day, a short journey brought the RCR to Limatola, near the upper waters of the Volturno River, about 50 kilometers inland from the city of Naples and the same distance south of Cassino, where the unit had fought months earlier. An abundance of insects raised concerns over malaria and prompted relocation to a camp on higher ground. For several days, the soldiers rehearsed river crossings in preparation for upcoming operations.

Private James Gordon MacDonald joined the RCR’s ranks during its time near Limatola. On May 8, he was officially “taken on strength” by the unit, which was busy preparing for its next combat assignment—an Allied assault on the strategically important Liri Valley, a passageway to the Italian capital of Rome.

The Liri Valley ran northwesterly for approximately 30 kilometers, stretching from the Garigliano - Bari - Rapido river system to a German defensive network known as the Gustav Line. 10 kilometers wide at its mouth, the valley gradually narrowed into a canyon in the Abruzzi Apennines. A massive promontory known as Monte Cassino rose above its eastern opening. Atop the heights sat a monastery that provided German forces with a clear view of Allied units spread out across the valley’s entrance. Any movement or concentration of forces prompted a fierce response from enemy artillery.

The Canadian Corps was in reserve at 2300 hours May 11, when a massive bombardment to the north of its location signalled the commencement of the Liri Valley offensive. British and Commonwealth units commenced their push into the valley while American forces to the west launched a similar offensive along the Italian coast.

Progress was slow during the offensive’s opening hours, British units barely managing to cross the Gari River and establish small beach-heads on its northern shores. Canadian units, under the command of the British XIII Corps, moved forward the following day and “recce” parties visited the sectors they would soon occupy, 20 kilometers southwest of Cassino.

On May 13, the RCR began its journey into the line, reaching its assigned position by 0200 hours May 14. Young Private Gordon MacDonald was among the soldiers settling into a section of the line located on the Canadian sector’s left flank. To their left was the Liri River, while Monte Cassino rose on the horizon to the north. The British 78th Division and 8th Indian Division occupied the centre of the line.

Eight kilometers to the northwest lay the beginning of a second German defensive network called the Hitler Line. It consisted of defensive positions built into mountain walls on both sides of the valley, 14 kilometers north of the village of Pignatoro. While Polish forces on the right flank failed to make significant progress in their efforts to dislodge German forces from Monte Cassino, moderate success on the left flank prompted Allied commanders to move Canadian units forward in an effort to take advantage of progress made by the 8th Indian Division.

On the afternoon of May 15, the RCR crossed the Gari River and passed through the remnants of the Gustav Line into positions behind the 6th Bengal Lancers. Its companies dug in under persistent mortar and artillery fire as Canadian units prepared to relieved Indian forces in the front line.

At 0700 hours May 16, the RCR passed through Indian reserve positions and advanced almost five kilometers in the face of light opposition. As the soldiers attempted to push forward into an area between the Liri River on their left and the village of Pignatoro on their right, they encountered strong resistance from German positions atop a low ridge.

The RCR’s A Company moved forward, attacked the enemy position and successfully captured the ridge. As its soldiers set about consolidating the location, a torrent of mortar and artillery fire struck the area, indicating that the enemy had deliberately withdrawn to set up a trap.

C Company, which had moved forward in support of their A Company comrades, was driven to the ground by the enemy bombardment. As the shelling continued, A Company’s was forced to withdraw from the ridge. A total of 12 RCR soldiers were killed and another 20 wounded during the day’s fighting.

On the morning of May 17, the RCR received orders to resume the advance. Allied forces were unaware of a dried watercourse that ran across the line of advance at an angle. While little more than a deep ditch, the natural feature was a perfect “tank trap,” preventing armoured units from supporting the advance. Beyond the obstacle, German forces had placed a minefield. Their soldiers lay in wait in small wooded areas and tall grain fields beyond the personnel mines.

On the afternoon of May 17, the RCR resumed the advance. Despite harassing enemy fire and several obstacles in their path, the soldiers captured German positions five kilometers west of Pignatoro. By nightfall, 1st Canadian Division forces had established a continuous front line along the Allied left flank. The following day, the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade’s soldiers advanced to the outskirts at Pontecarro and established a new defensive line.

The RCR’s May 17, 1944 advance came at considerable cost. The unit suffered a total of 18 fatalities as it secured the area west of Pignatoro. Among the soldiers lost that day was Private James Gordon MacDonald, killed in action during his first tour in the front line. The following day, Gordon and his fallen RCR comrades were buried in temporary graves located at map reference MR/805132, sheet 160, Cassino, “100 yards north on side road, west side of road.”

On May 24, military officials sent a telegram to Gladys MacDonald, informing her that “F/75989 Private James Gordon MacDonald [was] officially reported killed in action 17th May 1944.” Nine days later, Canadian officials sent a letter of condolence. Gordon’s remains were re-interred in Cassino War Cemetery, Cassino, Italy, on January 3, 1945.

Gordon’s father Alexander passed away in Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, on October 29, 1949. He was 47 years and six months old at the time of his death. Alexander was interred alongside his father David in Mount William Cemetery, Pictou County. Gladys (Jordan) MacDonald died in the Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, on March 31, 1965, and was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery.

Alexander’s mother Lydia Ann “Annie” (Marshall) MaDonald outlived her son, grandson and daughter-in-law. She passed away in Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, on June 14, 1968, and was laid to rest in Mount William Cemetery beside her husband and son.

Two of Gladys (Jordan) MacDonald’s cousins—sons of her uncle, John Abner Jordan—also served during the Second World War. Frank Wendell Jordan, born inSherbrooke on November 17, 1916. enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force on July 30, 1941, and served at airfields across eastern Canada. During his time in uniform, Frank advanced to the non-commissioned rank of Sergeant.

Discharged from military service on September 11, 1945, Frank returned to Sherbrooke, where he married Joan Frances Armstrong and raised a family of two daughters. He owned and operated a store in the community for more than two decades and was also postmaster for a period of time. An active member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #56, Sherbrooke, Frank passed away on May 31, 2012.

Frank’s older brother Stanley Arthur Jordan was born in Sherbrooke on February 26, 1906, and enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) in Winnipeg, MB, on June 3, 1940. Stanley spent five years overseas, serving in the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany with the RCE. Following his October 11, 1945 discharge, he returned to Churchill, Manitoba, where he owned and operated a barber shop. Stanley never marred and passed away on April 27, 1985.

Special thanks to Kelly Kaiser, Sherbrooke, NS, for contributing a picture of Private Gordon MacDonald on display in the Royal Canadian Legion, Sherbrooke, and providing information on the Jordan brothers’ military service.