MANUSCRIPT
McRae, Donald, 1881-1915 : Diary and letters
- Date
- 1915-1916
- By
- McRae, Donald, 1881-1915
- Reference
- MS-Papers-3775
- Description
The collection consists of Private McRae's diary for the period January to September 1915 as he prepared for, and fought in, the Turkish Campaign in Gallipoli. Also a letter written by him from hospital on Malta on 21 Sep 1915 and a letter dated 2 Feb 1916 from Kathleen Mair, a nurse on Malta.
Source of title - Supplied title
McRae, a private in the Auckland Infantry Battalion, landed at Gallipoli in May 1915. He was wounded twice, once in May, and for a second time in August 1915. Sent to Malta for medical attention, his left leg was amputated. Sent on for further medical treatment to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Southampton, England. Died 20 Oct 1915. Serial Number: 12/821.
Quantity: 2 folder(s).
Physical Description: Holograph and mss (some photocopies)
Provenance: McRae's sister married D MacGillivray
- Access restrictions
- No access restrictions
- Format
- 2 folder(s), Diaries, Personal correspondence, Manuscripts, Holograph and mss (some photocopies)
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Copyright
Unknown
Letters
Date: 1915- 1916
From: McRae, Donald, 1881-1915 : Diary and letters
Reference: MS-Papers-3775-2
Description: This folder contains a letter written by McRae from Malta on Sept 21st 1915 to his sister telling of his injury and a letter from Kathleen Mair dated 2nd Feb [1916] who was a nurse on Malta giving information on McRae's time in hospital on Malta. Quantity: 1 folder(s) (6 leaves). Physical Description: Photocopies
War diary
Date: 1 Jan - 13 Sep 1915
From: McRae, Donald, 1881-1915 : Diary and letters
Reference: MS-Papers-3775-1
Description: This folder contains the war diary written by McRae from Jan to Sep 1915. At the front of the diary is a brief timeline of travelling dates from leaving Auckland in Sep 1914, through to arriving in Cairo on 5 Dec 1915. McRae's entries in the diary are brief. He describes his time at Zeitoun Camp, parades, training drills, and visits to the Egyptian Pyramids. McRae transfers with his unit to Ismalia on 26 Jan 1915. Comments on the attach of the Turkish Army at Suez Canal on 3 Feb 1915. Transported on the `Katuna' on 10 Apr 1915 to the island of Lemnos. Ship moves off ANZAC Cove on 24 Apr 1915. Details fighting and wounded until 4 May 2015 when he disembarks at ANZAC Cove and moves up to the firing line. Wounded in leg on 8 May 1915, wound dressed on beach the next day. Taken aboard transport with other casualties including Lieutenant-Colonel Plugge and Major Harrowell. Shipped to Malta via Alexandria to recuperate at St George's Hospital. McRae details life on Malta over the next month. Returns to Gallipoli and the front line on 25 Jun 1915. Involved in the battle of the Turkish Army's last major offensive against the ANZAC soldiers on 29 and 30 June 1915. Injured for a second time on 7 Aug 1915 during Auckland Infantry's attack in the ANZAC offensive which included the attack on Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Lay out without dressing for three days then carried down to shore. Medical attention the following day and transferred to a medical boat on 11 Aug 1915. En route to Malta the bullet was removed from his leg. Very few entries in the diary from this point. Leg operated on 19 Aug 1915, amputated 13 Sep 1915 (last entry). End pages of diary include some contact addresses and a list of names (possibly correspondents). Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Holograph (9.5 cm; red cover) Processing information: Digitisation details - Part of WW100 digitisation project. 273 digitised images