John Lackey McLean

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 17/01/2016 - 12:44

First Name:

John

Middle Name:

Lackey

Last Name:

McLean

Date of Birth:

Thursday, February 11, 1892

Mother's Name:

Mary McLean nee Lackey

Father's Name:

John McLean

Date Enlisted:

Saturday, May 29, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lieutenant

Unit:

45th Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, September 27, 1917

Place of Death:

Polygon Wood, Belgium

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

John McLean (Service No 3406) was born in Kiama, N.S.W.

When John enlisted he lived at Ryde, N.S.W., was 23 years old, single and employed as a school teacher. John had served previously in the Senior Cadets.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A17 Port Lincoln with 11th Reinforcements, 13th Battalion on 13th October 1915. After arriving in Egypt he was transferred to 45th Battalion on 6th March 1916.

John recieved a promotion to 2nd Lieutenant on 12th March 1916.

He arrived in France on 8th June 1916 and saw service on the Western Front until 28th October 1916 when he was sent to England to join 12th Training Brigade.

On 1st January 1917 John was promoted to Lieutenant and served as an instructor training new men from Australia.

John went back to France on 8th August 1917 and joined 14 Platoon, D Company, 45th Battalion in the field. The 45th Battalion was at Polygon Wood, Belgium on 27th September 1917; at around noon Lieutenant McLean left the support line to view the area the battalion was about to take over. He was seen entering no-mans land near Polygon Wood, Belgium, but was never seen again.

There is no known grave for John; he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, MCLEAN J L