Lieutenant William John McLean

Lieutenant, 18th Battalion, Infantry (Army).

Son of David and Isabella Gallagher McLean; husband of Marguerite McLean, of 23, Derwas Court, Edmonton, Alberta. Born at Perth, Ontario.

He belonged to the 42nd (Lanark & Renfrew) Regiment of the militia, and served 3 years in A.M.C. (Army Medical Corps.)

He may have enlisted in the 139th Battalion (verified from other sources).

IN THE MIDST OF THE CONFLICT

Lieut. Wm. McLean Writes of His Experiences in France.

The following letter was received recently from Lieut. Wm. McLean by his father, Mr David McLean. Lieut. McLean went overseas with the 130th Battalion and has been in France in the think of the conflict for some time:

France, Jan. 18th, 1917

Dear Father: -

I must write this evening for I may not have a chance again for some time. We came out of the line today after a month's stay. We had it very hard in the line for the weather was very bad most of the time. We had a couple of trips out of the trenches, but just long enough to have a night's sleep and a bath. The trenches were in very bad shape and it was nearly impossible to sleep, except when were were almost ready to drop. Bad and all as our trenches were they had nothing on the German trenches. Some of the recent prisoners seemed to think our trenches were fine. Just before we came out we some some real fighting and things were warm for 2 day[s] or so. Quite a bunch of prisoners were taken. Most of them were quite young chaps and were apparently quite glad to be taken. Our boys were in a hurry and blew up many dugouts that were full of Germans and in all probability cause many casualties.ie

Jan. 21st, 1917

Since I started this letter things have happened. They were shelling while I was writing and a big one almost put us out of business. A fragment came through the door and knocked things about a bit. No one was hurt but we were busy for awhile and most of the time on the move.

We are now away from the line, almost out of hearing of the guns, and run a good chance here of living to a ripe old age if we are here long enough. We marched out in full heavy marching order. It was quite a hike with a seventy-five pound pack, but the weather is cold now and did not mind it much. I expect we will be here for almost a month and probably into some 'show.' We are billeted in a little town. The billets are not very good, but i was luck and got a good bed. So once more I can get my clothes off. For over a month I never took off my boots except to change my socks or wash.

The weather here now is very much like early winter weather in Canada. There is a little snow but scarcely any frost in the ground and it i is just cold enough to keep the snow from melting. I had a letter from Aunt Minnie the other day and a parcel with some maple sugar which was fine. We had it on our porridge while it lasted. Well, dad, news is scarce and I must write some more letters to-night.

Give my love to all,

William