He received a hero’s welcome on his return to Tooborac in January 1901 and the newspaper carried an effusive account of the proceedings.<\/p>\n
“By the time the 8 o’clock train was due, a crowd had assembled to receive their soldier boy,” it reported.<\/p>\n
“On arrival Mr Donaldson met with much greeting and congratulation, whilst many sang Home Sweet Home and patriotic songs.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He was “borne to the town shoulder high by the crowd.”<\/p>\n The editor noted “I would say if you wish to gain the admiration of the people, become a soldier of the Queen.”<\/p>\n Mark Donaldson subsequently re-enlisted as part of the second commonwealth contingent for service in South Africa in January 1902, and he gave his age as 28 years and three months.<\/p>\n When Australia entered World War One in August 1914, he was quick to join up again.<\/p>\n But in October 1914, this was restricted to men between 18 and 38.<\/p>\n Undeterred, he shaved a decade off his age and stated he was only 32 years old.<\/p>\n Mark also signed up in Colac, more than 200 kilometres from Tooborac.<\/p>\n Whether this was because he was working in the area at the time, or because he didn’t want his true age to be more easily uncovered is unknown.<\/p>\n He entered the war as a driver in the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Train and was sent to Egypt as part of a contingent defending British interests in the face of Turkish aggression.<\/p>\n June 1915 saw his first hospital admission, in this instance for tonsilitis.<\/p>\n It was the beginning of a round of health issues that would eventually see him discharged on medical grounds at the end of 1917 with a diagnosis of myocarditis and general debility.<\/p>\n In mid-November 1915 he was briefly transferred to Gallipoli, but the evacuation of all allied troops meant he was back in Alexandria by boxing day.<\/p>\n However, his short time on the Turkish battlefield with all its attendant horrors appears to have left a strong impression, and he sent his mother this poem that she subsequently submitted to the McIvor Times<\/em>.<\/p>\n It was originally published on 23 December 1915.<\/p>\n A SOLDIER’S THOUGHT<\/strong> THE impact of the First World War on small towns across Australia was profound. Many young men did not return, and those who did were often changed forever. Tooborac’s Hayes\/Donaldson clan sent eight men to the battlefields of the Middle East and France, and only six of them came back. Lance Corporal Albert ‘Abbie’ Hayes […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2025\/04\/hmtdonaldson_90621.jpg\")
\nA light horse lad from a forest town<\/em>
\nTo pass the time, his thoughts put down,<\/em>
\nWhile round him buzz the hungry flies,<\/em>
\nIn a narrow trench the soldier lies;<\/em>
\nThe Turkish troops not far away,<\/em>
\nWith deadly aim intent to slay.<\/em>
\nTheir bullets made the sand-bags fly,<\/em>
\nWhile at every Turkish head we try.<\/em>
\nHere life to us is but a span,<\/em>
\nBut then it’s sure he dies a man;<\/em>
\nEven as I write these lines<\/em>
\nI’m passing equipment down the lines,<\/em>
\nThe boys who wore it did their bit,<\/em>
\nAnd now they’re in the honored pit.<\/em>
\nTo realize what warfare is,<\/em>
\nOne has to see the boys at bizz;<\/em>
\nBut may kind mercy spare your eyes,<\/em>
\nFor men go down like corn by scythes;<\/em>
\nWith thoughts like these upon one’s mind<\/em>
\nIt takes us back to where they’re kind\u2013<\/em>
\nWhere peace and plenty hold full sway,<\/em>
\nNo shrapnel whizzing all the day.<\/em>
\nNo none of us, to you can tell,<\/em>
\nIf we’ll come home safe and well;<\/em>
\nYou read the news, Advance, Retreat,<\/em>
\nAnd pray that Turkey may be beat ;<\/em>
\nEvery lad in his courageous heart,<\/em>
\nAltho’ he does his manly part,<\/em>
\nPrays to his Maker day by day,<\/em>
\nThat peace may come, and come to stay.<\/em>
\nAustralia sure has made a name,<\/em>
\nThe boys as soldiers play the game.<\/em>
\nReinforcements for the troops arrive,<\/em>
\nAnd like true Britons, they all strive;<\/em>
\nIt’s liberty and right they back,<\/em>
\nAnd for ever flies the UNION JACK.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"