Regiment: Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), 9th Btn.
Rank & Number: Private, S/15567
Born: 21 August 1881; Fairlie
Died: 20 September 1918; France (died of wounds)
Other: Buried Terlincthun British Cemetery,
Boulogne Brother
of Alexander McLean
ANGUS MCLEAN was born 21 Aug 1881 in Fairlie, to parents Archibald, a house painter,
and Margaret Dickie (who married in Largs on 31 Dec
1875). He died of
wounds in hospital in France on 20 Sep 1918, having been badly gassed the previous
week (13 Sep). He is buried in
Terlincthun British Cemetery, on the outskirts of Boulogne, France – the
inscription reads “Until the dawn breaks”, as requested by his wife. He is named on the family headstone in Largs
Cemetery, and on Fairlie War Memorial.
On 12 Mar 1909 at 8 Bank Street, Paisley, Angus (aged 27, housepainter, of Oakbank,
Fairlie) married Agnes Adamson Burnside - the marriage
was witnessed by his brother Alexander, who is also named on the Fairlie Roll
of Honour. They had two daughters,
Margaret and Elizabeth. In 1922, Agnes
and her daughters emigrated to America.
In the 1891 Census,
Angus, aged 9, is living Oakbank, Fairlie with parents Archibald (45, b. Largs, house
painter)
and Margaret (40,
b. Fairlie)
and siblings Mary G (12) , Alexander (7), Robert (3m) and Archibald (5)
In the 1901 Census, aged 19 and a house painter, he is living Oak Bank,
Fairlie with parents Archd (54, house painter) and Marget (50), with siblings Alexander (17,
app joiner), Archd (15, telegraph messenger) and cousin William Beck (14)
In the 1911 Census, he is aged 29,
a house painter, and is living Oakbank, Fairlie with wife Agnes (22) and daughter
Mary Dickie (1). His parents and
brothers are in the next household.
SERVICE DETAILS He enlisted under the Derby Scheme, and was called to
the colours in June 1916. The first
theatre of war entered was France. He
was severely wounded in action in Apr 1917 and hospitalised for a long period,
returning to the front in July 1918. He
was badly gassed on 13 Sep 1918, and died in hospital a week later. His medal roll shows he received the British
War and Victory medals.
Extracts from the Largs & Millport Weekly News:-
5 May 1917 Toll Of
War: We regret
to report that five of the Fairlie boys have been wounded in the recent
fighting:- Private Angus McLean,
Sergeant Hugh Burden, Private Adam Anderson and Driver Jones. The first named has been wounded in the foot,
but the character of the injuries to the others are at present unknown.
2 February 1918 Other
two of our wounded men have arrived home for a short leave before joining their
units. Pte. Angus McLean, who was badly
wounded in the leg a considerable time ago, although still very lame, is now
making good progress towards recovery.
28 September 1918 Toll Of War; Died In Hospital: With deep
regret we have to chronicle the death on service of Pte. Angus McLean, Black
Watch, who, in civil life with his brother, carried on business as a painter in
Fairlie. Enlisting under the Derby
Scheme, Pte. McLean was called to the colours in June, 1916, and after the
usual period of training, was sent to France.
In April, 1917, he was severely wounded in action and for a long time he
was confined to hospital. Pte. McLean
went back to the front two months ago and on September 13 was badly gassed,
dying in hospital a week later. He
leaves a widow and two children, and to them and to his mother and brothers is
expressed the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community.
5 October 1918 Acknowledgement: Mrs Angus McLean and Mrs Arch. McLean desire
to return sincere thanks for kind expressions of sympathy received by them in
their recent sad bereavement.- Oakbank, Fairlie
20 September 1919 In Memoriam: McLean - In loving memory of Pte. Angus McLean, 9th Batt.,
Royal Highlanders, who died in France on 20 September 1918 (gassed), aged 37
years – inserted by his mother and brothers, Oakbank, Fairlie.
20 September 1919 In Memoriam: McLean –
in loving memory of Pte. Angus McLean who died of gas poisoning in France on
September 20th, 1918 – inserted by his sorrowing widow and wee daughter,
Oakbank, Fairlie.
18 September 1920 In Memoriam: McLean -
in loving memory of Pte. Angus McLean, who died in France (gassed) on 20th
September 1918 - inserted by his two wee daughters Margaret and Elizabeth.
Regiment: Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), 9th Btn.
