Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Lewis and Agnes MCLEAN, 95 Corio Street, Shepparton, Victoria

Just as he was popular amongst his friends and the townspeople of Shepparton and district so was Corpl. John McLean regarded with affection and  pride by his mates on the battlefield. As instancing the high opinion of those with whom he had come in contact we append the following letter received last week by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. McLean, of Corio street:—"As sergeant of the platoon of which your son Jack formed one, I wish to convey to you the deepest sympathy of the boys and myself in your sad trouble. "Jock," as he was familiarly known to us, was regarded as one of the finest in the land, and his death has left us one and all very sorry. His outstanding quialities were evident to all, but as luck would have it, no vacancies were open  for him since joining up. I am sending his Bible, book of poems and small diary, which he left in his pack.
—Yours truly, WM. J. HEALY (Segt.)
France. 18/10/17.

CORPORAL JOHN McLEAN.
Keen regret was expressed on Tuesday forenoon when the sad news was spread through Shepparton that another well-known townsman,  Corporal  John McLean (more generally known as Jack), had fallen a victim to a German bullet somewhere in France. Born in 1880, he was the son of Mr. and  Mrs. Lewis McLean, now resident in Corio street. In May,1916, he enlisted, and sailed from Australia in October in the same year for Egypt, thence to England. At a later date, as a member of the 37th Battalion, he went to France, where he participated in action unscathed until last June when he was  wounded in the shoulder. After a spell of about two months he resumed duty, and a letter, the last received from him, written in France,and dated  September 1st, contained a vigorous buoyancy of tone that denoted he had lost none of his old time, zeal and manly spirit. Few men were held in such high esteem by his fellow townsmen, and fewer still succeeded in winning, as he had, the endearing affection of children. To many of these he was  something more than a good friend—a kind-hearted big brother with a rare fondness for little folk. A man of athletic build and fond of athletics, he was  at one time a prominent figure in local rowing pursuits and helped materially to win a valuable cup in competition at Nagambie. That cup is still to be seen in Shepparton. Some years ago he travelled widely through Australia and New Zealand with the Austral Singers, a group of vocalists which found  birth in this town. Subsequently he and his brother, Andrew, commenced business in Wyndham street, and the grocery firm of Messrs McLean Bros. is  well-known beyond the municipal limits of Shepparton. He was unmarried. His was a nature all too rare, so much so, that from the time the war broke  out, and assumed a sinister aspect for the Empire and Australia, he felt he must be up and doing something for his country elsewhere than here.  Associated with the Shepparton Presbyterians for many years, at the time of enlistment he held a position on the Board of Management of that Church.  A Masonic brother of sterling qualities, his death has left a gap that can only be bitterly mourned. He belonged In a fighting stock, for there are now on  active service in the field, four cousins-—two from Kyneton, one from Cosgrove, and one from Daylesford. Two of these have been wounded. In truth it  may be said of Corporal McLean that he nobly fulfilled his duty as a man.