Hew Fancourt Graham McDonald (1912 - 1942)

Ancestors

Biography

Hew Fancourt Graham McDonald was born in 1912 in Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. He was the older son of George McDonald and Erina Ochiltree. ^[1] His father was killed in France in 1918 during the First World War. Hew was educated at Scotch College, Hawthorn, Victoria. ^[2]

He graduated university and became a medical doctor. ^[3]

Hew married Betty Robertson in 1940 in Victoria. ^[4]

Hew McDonald in his 'hut' on the Kokoda Track

He was commissioned as a medical doctor in the Second Australian Imperial Force's 2/4th Field Ambulance; later attaining the rank of Major. (SN VX14704)

Field Ambulances operated as a 'deployable' hospital (similar to the US MASH units). From October 1942 the 2/4th Field Ambulance became the lead medical unit in the Kokoda Campaign. The roles of the 2/4th included 'triage and resuscitation; initial wound surgery for battle casualties and further surgery; nursing ward care for battle casualties and acutely sick patients; preparation for evacuation of casualties along the Kokoda track; establishment of multiple aid posts along the track for care during evacuation of the walking wounded ,as well as primary health care, emergency dental care and environmental health support'. ^[5]

At 1630 hours (4:30pm), 27th November 1942, thirteen Japanese Zero fighter bombers in three waves strafed and bombed the 2/4th Field Ambulance, then at Buna on Papua's northern coast; clearly displayed a large Red Cross ground sign. The wards and kitchen area were badly hit, and the Q store and dispensary were completely gutted by fire. Among the twenty-two killed were seven staff including Hew and another medical officer, Major Ian Vickery, as well as others being malaria ward patients hit by machine gun fire. Over fifty patients and ambulance personnel were wounded. The official history Australia in the War of 1939–1945 painted a grim picture: 'It was a scene of utter devastation … in a few minutes a busy hospital was transformed into a miniature battlefield'. ^[5][6]

Hew Fancourt Graham McDonald is buried in the Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby. His name is located at panel 87 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. ^[7]

He was Mentioned in Despatches (equivalent to today's Commendation for Gallantry) posthumously for 'gallant and distinguished services South West Pacific area'. ^[8][9]

Sources

1. ↑ Victoria Birth Index #14880/1912; forename listed as Hugh
2. ↑ Scotch College: James Wallace Lavarack; accessed 11 Mar 2022
3. ↑ his role in the Army
4. ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #9465/1940
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} 'Endurance, Courage and Care: The Kokoda Campaign of Captain Alan Watson and the 2/4th Field Ambulance'; accessed 11 Mar 2022
6. ↑ Scotch College: James Wallace Lavarack; accessed 11 Mar 2022
7. ↑ Australian War Memorial roll of honour: VX14704 Temporary Major Hew Fancourt Graham McDonald; accessed 11 Mar 2022
8. ↑ Australian War Memorial: Mention in Despatches (recommendation); accessed 11 Mar 2022
9. ↑ Australian War Memorial: Mention in Despatches; accessed 11 Mar 2022; lists him as a member of 2/4th Field Regiment