Born on 18 September 1890 in Wally Field, Prince Edward Island - son of the late Reverend Roderick and Katherine Isabel Maclean, Burnaby, British Columbia - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as McGill student; single; currently a member of the Corps S.C.I. [?] (commissioned in 8 October 1914); previously served with the 4th Regiment, Canadian Field Artillery (one year); Presbyterian; height of 6 feet 2 inches; chest of 46 inches fully expanded; ruddy complexion; blue eyes; dark hair.
Joined the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Vancouver, British Columbia, on 21 March 1915 (number 411060) - transferred to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on 17 July 1915 - wounded on 6 December 1916 - rejoined Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on 18 June 1917 - at some point commissioned as a Lieutenant - killed in action on 5 July 1917 - buried in Villers Station Cemetery (grave VIII.E.2), France.
Awarded a Mention in Despatches.
(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)
Donald was my great-uncle; his older brother James was my grandfather. James had three sons after moving from B.C. to Seattle, all of them WWII veterans. My father, Kenneth MacLean, was the youngest of the three and did not see combat, but was part of the post-war occupation force in Korea. He was also the only one to join the U.S. Army, while his older brothers were in the Navy.
ReplyDeleteDonald was apparently killed while on leave from combat, but still within range of "harassing" artillery fire from across the line. There is a memorial monument on the Isle of Skye, where his father was born and raised, which lists his name. His mother was a MacRae from Loch Alsh.
Heartfelt thanks for posting this; we didn't have all the information you listed. My Dad is still with us, he'll be very interested in reading.
-Kevin