Born at Balunham, Ireland, c.1824.
Enlisted at Longford on the 26th of November 1845.
Age: 21
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Farrier.
From Private to Corporal: 9th of December 1849.
Reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 19th of February 1850.
He was a Farrier in the regiment from 1853.
Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H.T. "Medora" on the 27th of April 1854.
Sent to Scutari on the 26th of October 1854.
[PB/RM: If he was sent to Scutari on the day after the Charge at Balaclava, it can be assumed he too was a Charger, although he is not shown as entitled to the clasp for Balaclava.]
Invalided to England from Scutari on the 2nd of March 1855.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma and Sebastopol.
He was presented with his Crimean medal by Queen Victoria at a ceremony on Horse Guards Parade on the 18th of May 1855. His name appears on the Nominal Return of those present now in the PRO, also on a similar roll which appeared in the United Services Magazine for June of 1855 and on that which appeared in the Illustrated London News, 26th of May 1855.
Extract from the Mayo Constitution, unknown date:
"One of the gallant survivors of the heroes of Balaclava arrived in our town last week. He was and is, a farrier in the 8th Hussars named Michael McDonald, and with his brother (who was shot by his side) was one of the Spartan band who rode through fire and death in the ever memorable cavalry charge. [This could only have been 1272 Edward McDonald.]
This fine young fellow is in a precarious state of health. Having escaped fire and sword, being unscathed, although twice un-horsed on that fatal occasion, he fell a victim to camp-fever, from the effects of which he is still suffering severely. His father's joy was unbounded on his arrival, he believing that both his "brave boys" had fallen in that encounter. The Earl of Lucan, on being told of his arrival, gave directions that the best medical aid and every attention should be afforded to him."
Died at Castlebar, Co. Mayo, on the 23rd of September 1855.
There is a discrepancy in the musters when showing his exact date of death. He is shown in the muster roll for October-December as going on furlo from Newbridge Depot on the 1st of October and dying at Castlebar on the 23rd of November 1855, whereas another entry shows him as dying at Castlebar on the 23rd of September 1855.
The first shown must be considered the correct one as a search of the files of the Mayo Constitution showed that the article relating to his arrival in that town was dated the 9th of October 1855. He left £2/7/7d. in his accounts.
Extract from the Mayo Constitution 27th of November 1855:
"Death of a Crimean hero — On Friday last Private McDonell [sic] of the 8th Hussars, expired at the residence of his father, a blacksmith in this town. This brave young fellow, who was one of the gallant three hundred who survived the bloody charge at Balaclava, had returned home some short time since, suffering from camp fever. His brother fell by his side in that fateful encounter.
We blush to say it, that following this man's return to his father's house, the War Office has acted most shabbily, having allowed him only 7d. per day — and consequently he was dependant upon the hard earnings of his father and the liberality of the Earl of Lucan for the necessaries of life.
Much to the credit of Colonel Higgens, M.P., and the officers of the North Mayo Militia, on being made acquainted with his death, at once provided for his funeral expenses out of their private purses, and on Sunday (the 25th.) the entire regiment turned out to pay the last honours to the Spartan hero. Colonel Higgens and the officers attended in uniform and their splendid band played the Dead March in "Saul."
We were proud to see our County Militia make so soldier-like and imposing appearance, as we never saw them to greater advantage than paying their respects and last tribute to the memory of the brave."