Cecil Gordon McDonald (SN 2313) born in Ballarat, first enlisted in December 1916 but within a couple of weeks was discharged as medically unfit. He enlisted again on October 23rd 1917 as a 26 year old fireman. On November 9th he embarked aboard the Port Sydney and sailed first to Egypt and then on to England. Assigned to the Australian Light Rail Operating Company he reached France in February 1918. He avoided battle wounds but gradually his health declined, first due to bronchitis and then trouble with his heart. He was returned to Australia aboard the Sardinia, disembarked at Melbourne on December 27th 1918 and was discharged ‘medically unfit’ on January 22nd 1919.