The Royal Canadian Regiment
Piper Archibald Andrew McLellan MM 877992 of The Royal Canadian Regiment died on the last day of action during the Great War.
Archibald Andrew McLellan born 26 September 1856 in Egypt Road, Nova Scotia. Married to Mary Flora McLellan on 22 January 1915, a farmer from Egypt, Nova Scotia (later Iverness, NS). In addition, Archie and Flora had one child, Catherine. Finally, he was 30 years old, 155 pounds, standing 5′ 9″ tall with ruddy complexion, grey eyes and red hair, and a Roman Catholic.
Attestation
Private Archibald Andrew McLellan attested with the 185th Battalion, CEF at Broughton, Nova Scotia on 6 April 1916. Earlier, the battalion organized in January 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F P Day, mobilized at Broughton in April, at Aldershot in May, recruited in Cape Breton. Then, embarked from Halifax 13 October 1916 aboard OLYMPIC and disembarked in England 19 October 1916 with a strength of 33 officers, 1006 other ranks.
Later, drafts of 172 to 73rd Battalion and 20 to 42nd Battalion in December 1916. Then with the 15th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division from 13 February 1917 to 9 February 1918. Finally, absorbed by 17th Canadian Reserve Battalion on 15 February 1918, and disbanded by Privy Council Order 2833 of 29 November 1918. Furthermore, brass, bugle and pipe bands in Canada, and Colours presented by Lady Borden at Aldershot, Nova Scotia on 25 September 1916., then deposited in the Court House, Sydney, on 28 August 1919. Perpetuated by The Cape Breton Highlanders.
Private McLellan transferred to 246th Reserve Battalion on 25 September 1916. Then, transferred to Special Service Company No.6 on 1 October 1916.
Pvt McLellan forfeits two days pay, AWOL, January 1917. Later, Archie set sail aboard SS OLYMPIC on 2 June 1917.
England
Archie entered Segregation Camp at Bramshott, 11 June 1917.
Private McLellan transferred to 17th Reserve Battalion, 23 February 1918. Earlier, the 17th Reserve Battalion organized at Bramshott on 23 January 1917 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W H Muirhead, and formed by absorbing 17th, 193rd and 219th Battalions. Absorbed 246th Battalion on 10 June 1917 and 185th (formerly in 5th Division) on 15 February 1918. In addition, reinforced 85th and 185th Battalions and, after 15 October 1917, the 25th Battalion and Royal Canadian Regiment. Furthermore, absorbed 26th Canadian Reserve Battalion on 15 October 1917 and moved to Ripon on 23 January 1919. Finally, returned to Canada on 4 July 1919 and disbanded. Published “Clansman” weekly, beginning on 28 February 1917.
Private Archibald Andrew McLellan transferred to RCR 25 March 1918.
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment on garrison duty in Bermuda, September 1914 – August 1915. Then, left Bermuda 13 August 1915 aboard CALEDONIAN, and left Halifax 26 August 1915. Then, disembarked England 5 September 1915 and arrived in France on 1 November 1915. Corps troops until 24 December 1915 when it joined 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division.
France
Piper Archibald Andrew McLellan entered France on 25 March 1918 at Thelus, the AVION SECTOR. Until the beginning of May, the RCR trade places with the PPCLI in the LENS SECTIOR. Most of May and June spent in Reserve at Bourecq. Wailly and Neuville-Vitasse in July as the RCR miss Dominion Day activities on account of being in the trenches.
A week before Dominion Day, Archie admitted to No. 3 Field Ambulance (influenza) on 25 June 1918, and discharged to duty 30 June 1918.
The Final Day of the Great War
Piper Archibald Andrew McLellan on Course Canadian Corps School from 12 October to 29 October 1918.
Admitted No. 4 CCS (GSW left side) 10 November 1916, and died of wounds, 11 November 1918.
Finally, Lieutenant WM King the first to sign the Golden Book of Mons with A Company of the RCR, the first Canadian unit to enter Grand Place.
Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery
Following the Armistice, Piper Archibald Andrew McLellan buried in Plot I, Row D, Grave 8 in Valenciennes (St Roch) Communal Cemetery.
The cemetery situated on the north-east side of the town, about 1.5 kilometres from the centre, on the north side of the road to Bruay-sur-L’Escaut.
Military Medal
Following the Treaty of Versailles, Piper Archie McLellan posthumously awarded the Military Medal, London Gazette No.31430, 3 July 1919.
Finally, Mary Flora McLellan died 12 September 1950 in New Glasgow, Pictou, Nova Scotia.
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