McLEAN, Dougald and Donald

The McLean family lived in Henderson Street Inverell. Dougald and Donald were sons of John and Christina McLean who came to Australia from Scotland in 1882. The family had resided in the village of Tarbet, Dunbartonshire, Scotland on the banks of Loch Lomond. In Australia they lived in the Nyngan district NSW until coming to Inverell c1901. 

Scottish born Dougald went to school at Nyngan and served an apprenticeship there before coming to Inverell. When he enlisted in August 1915 he was employed as a Baker by Mr. Kautz.  He was a single man, aged forty two.  With a group of thirty two Inverell men he participated in a recruiting rally and farewell at the Town Hall on 21 August 1915.

Dougald became a member of the 16th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement which sailed from Australia on HMAT A28 Militades in February 1916.  One month later the Battalion arrived in Egypt where they remained until sent to France in June.  By this time he had been transferred to the 48th Battalion. Dougald was Killed in Action on 6 August 1916 at Pozieres. His few remaining personal effects were returned to his Mother in 1917. Ten years later his identity discs were recovered when his remains were found. These discs were returned to his family and his remains buried at Serre Road Cemetery, France. 

Donald, a Farrier by trade, enlisted in Brisbane on 12 August 1915 when he was twenty seven years old.  He joined the 15th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement which sailed from Sydney for Egypt on HMAT A33 Ayrshire in September 1915.  He was transferred to the 11th Field Artillery Brigade in March 1916 and two months later promoted to Bombardier.  He was promoted to Corporal in May, just before his unit was sent to France in June.

Donald was Killed in Action on 9 January 1917 and buried at Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, France.

The McLean brothers were among the 215 men for whom memorial trees were planted in Kurrajong Parade, Inverell in 1919. Their names are inscribed on the Inverell Cenotaph and Honor Roll.

Images:  Australian War Memorial HO6091 (Dougald) and HO6092 (Donald)