WWI 1914-15 Medal Trio to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (P.P.C.L.I.) - NWMP - Donaldson - NWMP Service - KIA Frezenberg

1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal named to: 51129 PTE. H.W.W. DONALDSON, P.P.C.L.I.

Herbert William Walker Donaldson was born in the Nilgiri Hills area of Southern India in 1870, the son of Surgeon-Major James Donaldson (Madras Establishment). He evidently emmigrated to Canada at a fairly young age. He began his life in uniform in the 1880s, serving 4 years in the Canadian Field Artillery (Militia) in Guelph, Ontario. He also claimed 3 years service in the Dragoons (presumably the Royal Canadian Dragoons). In 1887 he joined the North West Mounted Police and served with the force for a number of years. His entry on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial states 20 years service but his RCMP file reveals that it was closer to 7 and that he was not offered to rejoin once he left the force (due to some service infractions) despite later applying to do so. He joined the CEF in Quebec in November 1914 and served overseas in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). Donaldson was killed in action on (or around) 8 May, 1915 during the Battle of Frezenberg. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.