57317 Lieutenant George Marshall Don, (17/4/1884-25/8/1918). "now called to rest"

The Hindenburg System.

In the whole of the sweeping operations in which the Regiment had become engaged since its discovery of the first German withdrawal on the morning of August 14th, the tactics employed were almost essentially those of open warfare. Trench-to-trench fighting had suddenly given place to a war of movement. Within a month the Division had advanced to a depth of close on 20 miles. Many villages of size and a great area of country had been liberated. The whole machinery of war, the cogs of which had long been stationary, was working swiftly and with telling effect. The enemy, now withdrawing everywhere, had been thrown off his balance. On the one side, terrific artillery barrages delivered by guns massed almost wheel to wheel, the infantry, flushed with victory, exerting relentless pressure or in full pursuit, an ever-increasing toll of prisoners and enemy dead, piles of booty, and, as a spectacle never to be forgotten, a bewildering and enormous stream of men, guns, tanks, ammunition supply, transport, and all the vast essentials of a great Army, ceaselessly rolling eastward; on the other side retreat, stubborn rear-guard actions, counter-attacks to save time and artillery or in a vain endeavour to snatch back a vital position, the abandoning of guns and material, the blowing up of roads and bridges, disorganisation, and the lowering moral that comes of defeat. It was the debacle of March over again, but with the positions reversed.  -Official History of the Otago Regiment.

Mr Jas. Don, of Windsor, has received word that his second son, Lieutenant George Marshall Don, died of wounds on August 25th. The late lieutenant was a member of the 33rd Reinforcements, and had seen four months' service in France. Prior to going into camp he was engaged in farming in the Tapui district. He was educated in the Ngapara and Waitaki Boys' High Schools. When seventeen he enlisted in the Sixth South African Contingent, and went as far as Christchurch, where he was rejected on account of his height. Some time later he paid his own passage to Sydney and joined the Second Scottish Horse, then being recruited in Australia by the Marquis of Tullibardine. On peace being declared he joined the Maxim gun detachment of the Natal Border Police, and served a year with them. Returning to New Zealand he took up farm work again. He was connected with the Volunteers in this district for many years, and was a sergeant instructor in the Territorial Forces for some time, being stationed at Mosgiel. Shortly after leaving this, he gained his commission in the 5th Otago Mounted Rifles. Another brother, James, made the supreme sacrifice on November 21 the last year, while Alec was severely wounded last January and is expected to go back to France any time now.  -Oamaru Mail, 3/9/1918.

George Don died during the fiercely-contested advance, from a shrapnel wound to his head.

ROLL OF HONOR.

DON — Died of wounds on August 25th, Lieutenant George Marshall Don, second beloved son of James and Hughina Don, Windsor, aged 34 years.

He did his duty.   -Oamaru Mail, 3/9/1918.

IN MEMORIAM.

DON. — In loving memory of Lieutenant George Marshall Don, who died from wounds near Bapaume on August 25th, 1918, second son of Hughina and the late James Don. 

This day brings back our memory fresh of him now called to rest, 

And the ones who think of him to-night Are the ones who loved him best. 

— Inserted by his loved ones.  -Oamaru Mail, 25/8/1919.