Donald first enlisted with the 1st Surrey Regiment but was discharged 10th July 1915 for being under age. He re-enlisted 6th March 1817 into the 19th Training Reserve Btn. His job at the time was a power machine munitions worker. He married Ellen Elizabeth Smith 23rd December 1917.

On 10.9.1917 he was tried by Dist. Court Martial at St Albans and sentenced to 42 days detention for absence (13.7.17 - 20.8.17) while working at Woolwich. He served with The Buffs as private. He was wounded by gas shell 4th May 1918 but not severely. In Oct 1918 he contracted flu, then tonsillitis the same month and in April 1919 flu again.