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Geoffrey Boles Donaldson. 
line. Donaldson’s company was in the first line and he led his 
men into action in a most gallant manner. He succeeded in 
piercing the German first and second lines and was instrumental in 
killing and making prisoners a large number of the enemy. 
Unfortunately the battalion on his left failed to get across “ no 
man’s land ” and Donaldson’s company was cut off and prevented 
from returning. He was killed by a bomb thrown at him by one of 
the enemy. In that particular attack the battalion was the only 
one of the division which succeeded in penetrating the enemy’s line 
and it received the praise of the higher command. The second in 
command of the battalion writes that this was entirely due to the 
cool and well-timed leading of Donaldson and another captain and 
to the splendid discipline of the men. 
His colonel writes that “ he was always a most reliable and 
painstaking officer. No work was too much for him and I shall 
always feel what he did during our training greatly helped to bring 
my battalion to a high state of efficiency.” His company sergeant- 
major, who was struck down just before him, writes “ Since 
Captain Donaldson was called upon to take command of C company, 
his methods, treatment of his men, and unconcern for danger have 
been the admiration of all his N.C.O’s and you may think of him as 
conducting the grim business of war as calmly as his studies at 
home.” One of his subalterns writes “ He made a splendid 
company commander : he was always cheerful and everyone liked 
him and worked well for him.” A private in another company told 
his wife that he often wished he was in Donaldson’s company, as 
the men said he was so splendid and all loved him. 
Donaldson, when he joined the army, had not of course had 
time even to begin to show what he could do in botany, to which he 
intended to devote himself—in fact he had only just taken the 
first part of the Tripos. But with his ability, solidity and keenness 
—qualities he afterwards showed as a soldier—there is no reasonable 
doubt that he would have done very well. We Cambridge botanists 
are paying a very heavy toll of our highly endowed young men, but 
we have good reason to be proud of the stuff of which they are made. 
A.G.T. 
