Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Harold Eric McLennan
Rank: Captain
Unit: 31st Battalion

We were recently in contact with the great niece of Harold Eric McLennan, who gave us family permission to re-letter the inscription on the headstone of Harold’s grave at Lutwyche Cemetery. It was an honour and a privilege to carry out this work on behalf of Harold’s descendants, and our volunteers are thankful for the support of Elizabeth and her family. Elizabeth was amazed with the results and so pleased that the inscription on the headstone can now be seen again.

Harold Eric McLennan was born in the northern Brisbane suburb of Nundah on 17 August 1887, to parents Mercy Baynton Dorcas Ford and Gregory Grant McLennan. He was the fifth born of eight children and had four sisters (Ann, Ivy, Olive and Lilian) and three brothers (Gregory, Kenneth and Donald).

By the age of 22 years, Harold had found employment as a telegraphist and lived with his parents and siblings at John Street, Wooloowin. He later worked for a few years as a grazier in the Queensland town of Wigton, located 152km west of Gympie, before moving back to the family home at New Sandgate Road, Clayfield by 1915.

On 30 August 1915, Harold enlisted with the AIF to serve during WW1. He embarked at Melbourne on 9 November per ‘Wandilla’, listed as 2nd Lieutenant with the 31st Battalion, disembarking on 7 December 1915 at Suez, Egypt. Harold was promoted to Lieutenant on 21 March 1916. He embarked at Alexandria per ‘Honorata’ on 6 June to join the British Expeditionary Force, arriving at Marseilles, France a week later. The following month, Harold was granted the temporary rank of Captain. He returned to the UK on leave on 12 November and upon his return to France on 26 November, was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Eric was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty shown on 26 September 1917.

“During operations at POLYGON WOOD, East of YPRES, 26th September 1917, this officer was conspicuous for his courage, and displayed initiative and coolness which were the admiration of all ranks, and tended – in no small degree – to the success of the operation. He is cool and collected under fire, and, by his untiring energy and devotion to duty, has gained the admiration and respect of all ranks of his Battalion.”

Harold was granted leave to the UK on 8 October 1917, rejoining his unit 12 days later. In December 1917, he was detached for duty with the 14th Training Battalion in England, proceeding to the UK from Boulogne, France on 31 December 1917. He marched in to Longbridge Deverill, England on 2 January 1918 and a few weeks later on 26 January, Harold married Ida Roslyn Betts at the St Mary the Virgin Church, Westminster, London.

On 5 April 1918, Harold was placed under arrest after he absented himself without leave from the Overseas Training Brigade. He was absent without leave from 2 March until he surrendered himself at Warwick Square, London on 4 April.

The Court found Harold guilty and sentenced him to be dismissed from His Majesty’s Service. Harold and Ida embarked from England on 30 May 1918, returning to Australia via America under their own arrangements.
Upon returning to Australia, Harold and Ida lived on a property in North Arm, 24km inland from Coolum Beach, Queensland where Harold was a banana grower. The couple did not have any children.
Harold died at his mother’s residence at Clayfield on 21 June 1926, aged 38 years. His cause of death is listed as being malignant malaria and blackwater fever. His funeral was held at 3.30pm the same day, at Lutwyche Cemetery.

Lest We Forget