Private Andrew Mackie MacLean 477560, son of Mary and Mr. MacLean, of Kelvinbridge, Glasgow, Scotland. Born in Troon, Scotland on 7 January 1892. He was a machinist by trade. Andrew suffered a horrible injury in the Great War. An exploding bullet entered his mouth. Operated on by the preeminent expert of the time in facial reconstruction, Sir Francis Mark Farmer. Tragically, the operation not successful.
Enlistment
Private Andrew Mackie MacLean attested 23 August 1915 in Halifax. Captain Charles R. Edward Willets of the Royal Canadian Regiment signing his attestation papers. Prior service with 21st Regiment in Canada. He stood 5′ 9″ tall, with ruddy complexion, light blue eyes, and light brown hair. He was Presbyterian.
The Great War
On 13 October 1915, Andrew prepared his last will, leaving everything to his mother. Private Andrew Mackie MacLean preparing to head to the front, and does so, embarking for France with the Royal Canadian Regiment, on 2 November 1915. Then, the Regiment entrained at Pont du Briques, Boulogne at 10.00 a.m., 3 November 1915. And, detrained at Bailleul at 3.00 p.m. and instantly went into billets. Finally, Lt-Gen. E.A.H. Alderson inspected the Regiment on the morning of 6 November 1915.
First Casualty
The first casualty occurs in Bailleul on the night of 9 November 1915 – one draft horse died from pneumonia. Then, on 11 November, two companies enter the trenches for the first time at ALDERSHOT HUTS. On the night of 14 November 1915, one man goes missing from C Coy and another man accidentally wounded in B Coy. However, as the tour ends on 15 November, the missing man is located, and the wet weather turns to clear and frosty. Troop morale is excellent. Finally, the RCR moved into Corps Reserve at La Clytte on 19 November 1915.
Sergeant John Carroll
Lt-Col. Archibald Hayes Macdonell DSO notes the death of the first man on 28 November 1915. Sergeant John Carroll 477155 of D Coy, husband of Amelia Carroll, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Out on a working party at night, sniped at 35 years of age.
Ridge Wood Military Cemetery
Ridge Wood Military Cemetery is located 5 Km south west of Ieper town centre, on the Slijpstraat, a road leading from the Kemmelseweg.
Then, on 20 December 1915 at Berthes, a reorganization of the 7th C.I.B. put into effect. The 7th C.I.B. now contains the R.C.R., P.P.C.L.I., 42nd and 49th Battalions. Lt-Col. Archibald Hayes Macdonell selected to command the Brigade. Then, orders received the Brigade will take over the line from the 1st C.I.B. on 8 January 1916.
Meteren Military Cemetery
A tragedy occurs during training at No.2 Grenade School on 4 January 1916 at Berthen. Sadly, Private Henry Wilson 478013 is killed by an accidental discharge, and Corporal F C Aldred, A Coy, seriously wounded. Then, Private Henry Wilson buried the next day at Meteren Military Cemetery.
Meteren is a village 17.5 kilometres south-west of Ieper (Belgium) and 3 kilometres west of Bailleul on the main road to Cassel.
Moving into the line, the 42nd Battalion on the left and the 15th Battalion of the 3rd C.I.B. on the right. Then, on 12 January 1916, Trench C.3 shelled at 3.50 p.m. Five men wounded, including one with shell shock. Five men killed, Private Arthur Duckworth 442060, Private Richard Davis 442048, Private Alexander Hendry 442085, Private C Wiles 477977, Private William Nicholls 477673. Finally, these men buried at St Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery on 13 January 1916.
St Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery
On 26 January 1916, an otherwise quiet day, Corporal George Davison 477228 and Private Albert Fisher 477305 killed. Also buried at St Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery on 27 January 1916. Back in the trenches at Locre on 18 February 1916, Private John Kernick 477492 and Private Fred Knox 477500 killed. Buried at Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery the following day.
Private Eugene L’Ecuyer 477529 succumbed to his wounds before the end of the month, and buried at Locre Churchyard on 29 February 1916. The trenches at Locre relatively quiet in March, but Private Frank Joseph Lycett 402564 of B Coy is sniped on 7 March 1916. Buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery on 8 March.
Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery
Lt-Col. Archibald Hayes Macdonell DSO returned to take command of the RCR on 16 March 1916, the same day Private Joseph Molloy 478047 took his life. Buried at Meteren Military Cemetery on 17 March. On 28 March, Private Thomas H Burrett 477130 deliberately shot himself in the foot, while Private John Perry 477716 sniped. Private Perry buried at Sanctuary Wood Cemetery on 29 March 1916.
Sanctuary Wood Cemetery
While the morale of the troops declining, Private Andrew Mackie MacLean not with his unit. Firstly, admitted No. 1 Convalescent Depot, Boulogne, sick, 17 February 1916. Secondly, transferred to le Havre, No.9 Stationary Hospital, 18 February. Finally, discharged to No.1 Camp, 4 April 1916, VDS.
Andrew forfeits 50 cents a day while in hospital. Admitted to No. 9 Stationary Hospital, Le Havre, 6 April 1916, discharged 13 April 1916. Finally, Andrew catches up with his unit in the trenches at Sanctuary Wood.
Dark Day of the Royal Canadian Regiment
A relatively quiet period is interrupted on 24 April 1916. Then, at 4.00 a.m., a hostile aeroplane dropped 3 bombs on Camp E occupied by the RCR. One bomb, a direct hit. Private John Halley Ross 477799, Private William Garfield Rankin 477758, and Private Thomas Stewart 477884 killed outright. Thirty-two other men wounded.
Poperinghe New Military Cemetery
The three dead men are buried the same day at Brandhoek Cemetery. Private Joseph Alfred Richmond 477775 died of his wounds the following day, and buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery. Another six wounded succumb to their wounds the next day. Morale is plummeting.
Moving up to MAPLE COPSE on 7 May 1916, the unit is shelled, but escape without any casualties. Private William Edwin Braid 477099 suffering from shell shock on 14 April 1916, remains at duty. Moving back to A Camp the next day, the unit narrowly escapes another tragedy when an enemy bomb dropped from an aeroplane just misses the camp by 500 yards.
The Battle of Mount Sorrel
Private Andrew Mackie MacLean wounded the day General Mercer was killed, 3 June 1916. Lieutenant Eric Edward Napier McCallum DSO was badly, but not dangerously wounded, while endeavoring to obtain information concerning the relative positions of the enemy’s and our front line.
Then, Lt. McCallum took two men with him, one of which was killed, the other (Private Andrew Mackie Maclean) badly wounded. The latter Lieutenant McCallum bandaged as best he could and carried him back to R.H.Q. and then collapsed before his own wounds could be attended to.
Major Eric Edward Napier McCallum, D.S.O.
Photo: Major Eric Edward Napier McCallum, D.S.O. Invalided to England and posted to Nova Scotia Regimental Depot, 9 Nov 1917. Wounded in action, gun shot wound, left arm, 26 Aug 1918. Died May 30, 1957 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
D.S.O. Citation Lieutenant Eric Edward Napier McCallum
Lt. Eric Edward Napier McCallum, Can. Inf. – For conspicuous gallantry. When on patrol with two scouts, one of the latter was killed and the other wounded. Although himself wounded three times in the back and once in the leg, he dressed the other man and carried him some 600 yards under shell fire into safety.
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 19 AUGUST, 1916
Private Andrew Mackie MacLean admitted No. 13 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, seriously ill, GSW face, 3 June 1916. Explosive bullet entered his mouth, taking away a portion of his hard palate. Two operations done at No. 13 Stationary Hospital on his nose and face.
Recovery
Private Andrew Mackie MacLean improving, No. 13 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, 8 June 1916. Then, dangerously ill, 11 June 1916. Again, improving, 16 June 1916. Finally, removed from dangerously ill list, 22 June 1916. Then, admitted Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Millbank, 13 September 1918.
Private Andrew Mackie MacLean operated on by Sir Francis Mark Farmer, 30 October 1916. Farmer a dental surgeon and lecturer on dental surgery and pathology at the London Hospital. A the time, he worked at Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Millbank, a major hospital for jaw injuries. Earlier, his work on facial reconstruction in the Boer War recognized in 1902 by the British Secretary for War with a silver service.
Sudden death of Private Andrew Mackie MacLean
During the operation, Andrew stopped breathing, having suffered cardiac failure. Firstly, artificial respiration performed. Secondly, hot towels to chest, and stimulation with electric battery, all to no effect. Sadly, Andrew died of his wounds, 30 October 1916. However, his official date of death noted as 31 October 1916.
Kensal Green (All Souls’) Cemetery
Kensal Green (All Souls’) Cemetery contains burials of both world wars. Half of the 482 Great War graves form a plot in the south-west section of the cemetery. The rest form small groups or, scattered throughout the cemetery. All of the 51 Second World War graves scattered.
A screen wall in the Great War plot records the names of casualties of both wars whose graves not individually marked. Also recorded on the wall, the names of five servicemen whose remains were cremated in Kensal Green Crematorium. An especially poignant epitaph supplied by the family of Private Andrew Mackie MacLean.
Sir Francis Mark Farmer
In 1922, Sir Francis Mark Farmer married his second wife, Kate Mayor Thomas (1874-1957). Later that same year, he died suddenly of a heart attack at Hampton. In 1924 a memorial mural tablet unveiled at the London Hospital Medical College.
FRANCIS FARMER
London Hospital Medical College
This tablet is put up
in the place where much of his life work
was done
to keep alive the memory of
a brilliant surgeon
devoted to his profession and his patients
never sparing himself
where he could serve others
most loyal of colleagues
most unselfish of friends