Victoria Cross
Lt George Burdon McKean VC MC MM born in Wellington, England on 4 July 1888. He came to Canada in 1902, settling in Edmonton. At the time he enlisted as a private soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War, McKean a student at the University of Alberta. In the course of his military service, he received the Military Medal, and, after commissioned as an officer, the Military Cross.
Military Medal
Mckean sent to Britain as a sergeant in April 1916. After transferring to the 14th Infantry Battalion (the Royal Montreal Regiment), sent to France as a private in June. When he earned the Military Medal at Bully-Grenay, near Lens, he had advanced to corporal and recommended for a commission, which he obtained in April 1917.
Victoria Cross Action
Lieutenant McKean earned the Victoria Cross while serving with the 14th Infantry Battalion near Gavrelle in France on 27 and 28 April 1918. McKean leading a party of scouts against a German trench. Staunchly defended by troops using rifles and hand grenades. When his men hesitated, he ran forward alone. Threw himself head first into the trench, killing two of the enemy with his revolver. Inspired by Lieutenant McKean’s action, his men advanced and swept the German defenders aside. Capturing both the trench and its remaining occupants.
VC Citation
“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy’s trenches.
Lt. McKean’s party, which was operating on the right flank, held up at a block in the communication trench by most intense fire from hand grenades and machine guns. This block, too close to our trenches to have been engaged by the preliminary bombardment, well protected by wire and covered by a well protected machine gun 30 yards behind it. Realising that if this block not destroyed, the success of the whole operation might be marred, he ran into the open to the right flank of the block, and with utter disregard of danger, leaper over the block head first on top of the enemy.
Whilst lying on the ground on top of one of the enemy, another rushed at him with fixed bayonet; Lt. McKean shot him through the body and then shot the enemy underneath him, who was struggling violently. This very gallant action enabled the position to be captured. Lt. McKean’s supply of bombs ran out at this time, and he sent back to our front line for a fresh supply. Whilst waiting for them he engaged the enemy single-handed.
Bombs
When the bombs arrived, he fearlessly rushed the second block, killing two of the enemy, capturing four others and drove the remaining garrison, including a hostile machine-gun section, into a dug-out. The dug-out, with its occupants and machine gun, destroyed.
This officer’s splendid bravery and dash undoubtedly saved many lives, for had not this position been captured, the whole of the raiding party would have been exposed to dangerous enfilading fire during the withdrawal. His leadership at all times has been beyond praise.”
(London Gazette, no.30770, 28 June 1918)
Military Cross
McKean awarded the Military Cross for his part in an action in September at Cagnicourt. He and his scouts led the battalion forward. Sent back accurate reports, and captured a “party of the enemy over a hundred strong.” McKean’s “conduct throughout was magnificent,” read his citation.
Wounded
Severely wounded in this engagement and invalided to England. Unable to rejoin his regiment before the end of the war. During his convalescence, while reportedly still suffering shock, his portrait painted by Frederick Horsman Varley*, one of Canada’s war artists.
Painting
Of this haunting work (below), the artist’s son Peter writes. “In his characterization of McKean, Varley caught the numbed horror of his shattered soul: rigid, staring, one eye showing a wild defiance, almost rage; the other guarded, cynical, hiding a storm of hatred.”
Lieutenant G.B. McKean, The Victoria Cross – MIKAN 3521005
This is a photograph of the original painting, by F.H. Varley,
now in the Beaverbrook Collection of War Art, Canadian War Museum.
Is the original painting in colour?
While recovering McKean also prepared for popular consumption a book on his war experiences, Scouting thrills (New York, 1919). He would later draw on his time in Canada for a juvenile book, Making good; a story of North-West Canada (London, 1921). An account of two English lads’ adventures ranching in Alberta.
Shell Shock
Lt. George B. McKean had been awarded the Victoria Cross, for actions storming German positions in April, 1918. Wearing the ribbon for the V.C. And, what appears to be one for the Military Medal he had previously been awarded. Would also receive the Military Cross for his actions in Sep., 1918. He sustained the wounds that he is depicted recovering in England from. He was also still reportedly suffering the effects of shell shock when Varley painted him.
The small card bearing the no. 92 at the lower left of the work suggests photographed by the CWRO while on public display in England as part of their Canadian War Memorials Fund exhibits.
Death of McKean
McKean later made acting captain and a senior manager at the Canadian Khaki University in England. Married a British woman, and settled in Brighton, where he operated a sawmill.
The CWGC headstone is of a non-World War type. These individuals died outside the official charter dates (spanning 1914–1921 for the Great War)
After surviving four years of war, he was killed 28 November 1926 when a circular saw broke and pieces flew into his head. He is buried in Brighton.
Best Soldier
THE CAPTAIN G.B. MCKEAN, VC, MC, MM TROPHY (BEST SOLDIER), awarded annually to the best soldier in The Royal Montreal Regiment.
