Source: 18th Battalion Nominal Roll, April 1915.
EIGHT DOLLARS A MONTH.
Is This Adequate For a Returned Soldier Who Loses Use of Right Arm.
Pte. D.R. McDonald, 18th Batt. one of four brothers and sone of Mr. D.S. McDonald, 1st con Kinloss, was in town on July 12th. Pte. McDonald has been discharged from the service, his further usefulness as a soldier being gone on account of having his right elbow shot away. This practically leaves him unable to follow his old occupation as his right arm is useless. The Pension Board have dealt with his case and have awarded him the “magnificent” sum of $8.00 per month. This look bad to the average citizen. $8.00 wouldn’t go very far toward keeping a fellow from starving these days. As it is Pte. McDonald is at home getting his bearings before he decides upon the occupation he is going to follow. He case will no doubt be taken up later and proper remuneration granted him. The Pension Board seem so be small and parsimonious and there is no reason why men who have risked life and limb should not be properly treated.
Other cases have come under our notice and the public will not doubt strongly protest if these returned soldiers are treated as Pte. McDonald has been. — Kincardine Reporter.Paisley Advocate, July 25, 1917. Contributed by Jim Kelly.
War Diary of the 18th Battalion CEF 