| Surname: | Maclean |
| Forename(s): | Alistair Allan MacGillivary |
| Rank: | Private |
| Service number: | 1730 |
| Regiment: | 1st/14th (London Regiment) London Scottish |
| Date of death: | 14 November 1914 Aged 21 |
| Place of death: | Ypres |
Buried Commemorated | Unknown Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres Panel 54 |
Background
Alexander (Alistair) was born at Gordonhall, Kingussie on 4 May 1894. He was the son of Alexander McLean, Farmer, Gordonhall, and Marjory m.s. McGillivray of Ballimore, Moy. He was educated in Kingussie to higher grade and in 1911 Alistair worked as a Clerk in the Bank of Montreal in London.
Alistair’s brother, Victor, Gunner, RGA was Killed in action in Belgium 1917 and is buried at Ypers.
His other brother Finlay Ian Mclean No 3686 Attested on the 17 March 1913 his willingness to join the forces. He had previously been with the 4th Cameron Highlanders from 1909 – 1910. He was appointed Lance Corporal with the 2nd Lovat Scouts 1 June 1914. He was transferred to the Military Hospital in Perth in August 1914 and subsequently discharged.
War Record
In 1913 Alistair joined the London Scottish Territorial Regiment. In 1914 he volunteered for foreign service and went to France 15 September 1914. The First Battle of Ypres is likely where Alistair, during the famous charge of the London Scottish, sustained what were to be fatal wounds.The London Scottish became the first territorial army unit to see action in World War One when they were tasked to fill a breach in the line close to Messines at the end of October 1914. He died of wounds.
Glasgow Herald 19th Dec 1914
“Mr Alexander MacLean, Gordonhall, Kingussie, has received official information that his son, Private Alistair A.A. MacLean, London Scottish, died in hospital in France on November 14 of wounds received in action three days previously. Private MacLean was almost continuously in action from October 31 to November 11. He and his comrade, Private Henry Mackintosh, Kirkcaldy, who died in hospital November 22, were together in the trenches, and were wounded by the same shell. Private MacLean, who was only 20 years of age, was in the service of the Bank of Montreal in London. A keen territorial, he was among the first of the London Scottish to offer himself for service.”
He is also commemorated on the kingussie War Memorial, Kingussie and Insh Memorial in Kingussie Parish Church and St Andrew’s United Free Church Memorial now at Kingussie Parish Church
Also commemorated on the family gravestone in Moy Churchyard
