Malcolm was born in Shawbost, Stornoway, Ross on 21st January 1871 to Murdoch and Margaret. He grew up with several brothers and sisters and on leaving school held several jobs as a fisherman and grocer before joining the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 13th January 1894, enlisting at Glasgow. His personal details were recorded as him being 5’6” tall with black hair, brown eyes, a dark complexion and having a small scar on his forehead.
He trained as a Private at Walmer, Plymouth’s RM Depot until 22nd August 1894, transferring to Plymouth RM Division and remaining until 29th January 1895. He embarked to HMS CAMBRIDGE on 30th January 1895 until 4th February 1896, returning to Plymouth Division on 5th February and remaining for training until 18th November 1896. He gained one Good Conduct Badge on 13th January 1896 and did pass for Lance Corporal on 28th May 1895. Unfortunately he lost this rank on 5th February 1896 but worked hard to gain it again on 10th March 1896.
Malcolm transferred to HMS VIVID on 18th November 1896 and remained there until his posting to HMS Magicienne, a third class twin screw cruiser. The ship was commanded by Captain WB Fisher and Malcolm remained attached until 19th June 1901, earning a Queen’s South Africa medal for action in the Boer War as well as an Africa General Service medal with Jubaland clasp.
While aboard he also rose to Corporal and returned to Private once the ship returned to England. He also suffered a wound, on 23rd October 1901, but his records do not state the injury.
Malcolm stayed at Chatham Division from 20th June 1901 until 8th November 1901 before being posted to HMS WILDFIRE until 8th March 1905. While based in Kent he had leave and married Mary Retchie on 5th July 1901 at the Congregational Church, Dundas Street in Glasgow.
He returned to Chatham on 9th March 1905 and was discharged from service on 11th August 1905.
While he may have left permanent service and worked a civilian job, Malcolm enrolled with the RFR should he ever have been required for action and maintained yearly training at Chatham until his discharge on 22nd May 1910.
He reportedly returned to the Royal Marines Light Infantry with a view to obtaining his pension enlisting again at Chatham, on 23rd May 1910. He remained at Chatham HeadQuarters until 7th April 1911 before embarking for his posting aboard HMS BARHAM where he remained until 22nd February 1913. He spent 11 months with the cruiser HMS PROSERPINE before a return to Chatham again in January 1914. He was posted to the dreadnought HMS VANGUARD on 31st March 1914 where he remained until the ship’s explosion - notification of his death was sent to his wife at 35 Wood Street, Old Brompton, Chatham.
Malcolm was one of three men in his family who gave up their lives in the Great War. He is remembered on the Lewis War Memorial and Chatham Naval Memorial.
** While many of his Naval service records spelt his surname as McDonald, the correct version was MacDonald (with thanks to the Isle of Lewis FB page )**
(#60 - 528/843)
Sources:
1871, 1881,1891 & 1901 Scotland Census
Web: UK, Royal Marines Registers of Service Index, 1842-1925 ADM 159/50/9355, ADM 159/71/6868 and ADM 159/126/16426
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: Piece 009; Piece Description: Piece 009 (1914 - 1919)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
CWGC Register
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 125/0593/MCD-MCD
www.angloboerwar.com
Photo - facesmemorial.blogspot.com
Memorial photos courtesy of Neil Barker
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