The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- McDonald
- First Name:
- Keith Kitchener
- Nick Name:
- KK
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX8621
- Company:
- 'A' Company
- Enlisted:
- 18.10.1940
- DOB:
- 17.05.1917
- Place of Birth:
- Geraldton, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- William Donald McDonald
- Mothers's Name:
- Beatrice Maude McDonald
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Factory Hand at Bristle Tiles
- Memorial:
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Joint Grave, Plot 1, Row 0, Grave 48-49, Age 25.
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
- Force:
- 'D' Force Thailand, S Battalion
- POW#:
- 1/12015 & 8812
- Cause of Death:
- Cholera
- Place of Death:
- Tarsau
- Date of Death:
- 25.11.1943
- Buried:
- Cemetery No. 3, Grave No. 123, Tarsau.
General Description
K.K. as he was known was an extremely popular and well liked young man.
Keith McDonald, Bert Norton, Johnny Gilmour
Above notice from his mate Jim Elliott WX8619
Clarrie and KK/Geoff’s parents, Beatrice Maude Fleming and William Donald McDonald married in 1912 Geraldton. Beatrice was widowed with 6 children and was believed to arrive from England. A further 3 children were added to the family including Clarrie and KK.
Sadly the marriage was not successful, and the couple divorced about 1929. According to the newspaper reports William McDonald’s illness was alcohol and was unable to provide for his family.
The below information is to show how Beatrice McDonald must have struggled to provide for her children. She is to be commended for her ongoing courage during times when there was no social welfare to apply for – Beatrice simply had to survive the best way she could, with the boys about 11 years of age.
Her sons KK and Clarrie were extremely popular young men in the 2/4th and highly thought of. Beatrice must have done many things right.
Bacchus being the god of wine and intoxication.
Beatrice died in 1953. Her earlier life had certainly been challenging.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Tarsau, Tha Sao 125k - Thailand
