Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of Mathew and Margaret McLean originally of Bishops Mills, Ontario who later moved to Potsdam, New York, U.S.A. He stated he was single and worked in a foundry. He embarked at Halifax on 18 October 1916 and disembarked at Liverpool, England on 28 October 1916. The original wooden cross, which served as his temporary grave marker is now in the possession of The Royal Canadian Legion, Merrickville Branch, Number 245, where it is displayed in a beautiful wooden case in his memory.
Not eligible for the 1914-15 Star. British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Digital gallery of Private Alexander McLean
Digital gallery of
Private Alexander McLean
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 245 in Merrickville, Ontario, has come into possession of a unique First World War artifact, which was retrieved long ago from Flanders Fields in France. The original wooden cross of Merrickville's Private A. McLean was recovered decades ago when the wooden crosses were replaced with crosses made of stone. The cross was encased in a beautiful wood and glass case and found its way to Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Merickville, Ontario where it was recently rediscovered. The church has since donated the piece to the local Legion. Those who have seen this beautiful piece remark on the deeply emotional impact it has on them as they realize the significance of this unique symbol.
Digital gallery of
Private Alexander McLean
This is a picture of the headstone of Alexander McLean. It replaced the wooden cross that originally marked his grave.
Alexander was my father's uncle, although my father never knew him, as he was not born until after Alexander's death. Alexander was one of five children, including Hector, Sadie, Audrey and Mae.
Alexander was working on the farm in the fields one day when the military men came and told him he had to go with them to the Great War. He never returned.
According to the message my great-grandparents received upon his death, he died when a German grenade landed in the foxhole he was sharing with several other soldiers. On the reverse of this photo is a note that identifies his mother (my great-grandmother McLean) as the author of the poem inscribed at the base of the headstone.
Thank you Alexander, for sacrificing so much for all of us.
Digital gallery of
Private Alexander McLean
Alexander McLean is honoured on page 19 of the <i>Merrickville Remembers</i> booklet, published in January 2003.
Digital gallery of
Private Alexander McLean
This project was sponsored jointly by the Canadian Legion Branch 245 and the Merrickville District Community Health Centre. Serving on the Committee were Jack Jessop, Past President of Legion Branch 245; Joyce McKay, who lost a brother in the Second World War; Peter McKenna, Executive Director of Merrickville and District Community Health Centre; and Jack Wilcox, who upon discharge from the Canadian Army in 1945, prepared the Sydney Academy Memorial Booklet honouring the students of the Academy who gave their lives in the Second World War.
Digital gallery of
Private Alexander McLean
Image gallery
-
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 245 in Merrickville, Ontario, has come into possession of a unique First World War artifact, which was retrieved long ago from Flanders Fields in France. The original wooden cross of Merrickville's Private A. McLean was recovered decades ago when the wooden crosses were replaced with crosses made of stone. The cross was encased in a beautiful wood and glass case and found its way to Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Merickville, Ontario where it was recently rediscovered. The church has since donated the piece to the local Legion. Those who have seen this beautiful piece remark on the deeply emotional impact it has on them as they realize the significance of this unique symbol.
-
This is a picture of the headstone of Alexander McLean. It replaced the wooden cross that originally marked his grave. Alexander was my father's uncle, although my father never knew him, as he was not born until after Alexander's death. Alexander was one of five children, including Hector, Sadie, Audrey and Mae. Alexander was working on the farm in the fields one day when the military men came and told him he had to go with them to the Great War. He never returned. According to the message my great-grandparents received upon his death, he died when a German grenade landed in the foxhole he was sharing with several other soldiers. On the reverse of this photo is a note that identifies his mother (my great-grandmother McLean) as the author of the poem inscribed at the base of the headstone. Thank you Alexander, for sacrificing so much for all of us.
-
Alexander McLean is honoured on page 19 of the <i>Merrickville Remembers</i> booklet, published in January 2003.
-
This project was sponsored jointly by the Canadian Legion Branch 245 and the Merrickville District Community Health Centre. Serving on the Committee were Jack Jessop, Past President of Legion Branch 245; Joyce McKay, who lost a brother in the Second World War; Peter McKenna, Executive Director of Merrickville and District Community Health Centre; and Jack Wilcox, who upon discharge from the Canadian Army in 1945, prepared the Sydney Academy Memorial Booklet honouring the students of the Academy who gave their lives in the Second World War.
-
-
From the British Whig, a Kingston, Ontario newspaper. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 461 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
FAUBOURG-D'AMIENS CEMETERY, ARRAS Pas de Calais, France
Fabourg-d'Amiens Cemetery is in the western part of the town of Arras in the Boulevard du General de Gaulle, to the south of the road to Doullens.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.