MacLEAN, Reginald Leopold

Reginald was a son of John and Sarah MacLean. His birth was registered at Newcastle NSW in 1885. He had been a member of the Cadets for six years prior to enlisting at Newcastle in August 1916.  Reginald left Australia with the 19th Battalion, 21 Reinforcement on the ship HMAT A71 Nestor in February 1918.

After arriving at Liverpool, England, further training was undertaken before he was sent to France in July.  Three months later Reginald was wounded in action and transferred from France to Kilwaughter Castle, Larne, Ireland. He was diagnosed with double pneumonia and died on 2 November 1918, the day after he had been promoted to Lieutenant. Reginald was given a full military funeral and buried at Glenaline Cemetery, Belfast, Ireland. He was a married man with children.

Whilst at Inverell before the War, Reginald had been involved with WW1 recruiting meetings. As the appointed correspondent for the Inverell Times newspaper, he also accompanied ‘The Wallabies’ on their recruiting march from Narrabri in December 1915.

He had been a teacher at Ross Hill Public School in Inverell before enlisting and active in several local organisations, including the Caledonian Society.  When news of his death came to the school, the Principal asked the 6th class to stand whilst he read the telegram. Many of the boys were upset at the news as he was regarded as an ‘impressive teacher’.

Lieutenant MacLean has his name inscribed on the Inverell Honor Roll and Cenotaph. In 1919 he was one of the men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade, Inverell.