1917 - Original photo and 1936 Vimy memorial Pilgrimage Medallion attributed to Lieutenant Stewart Smith McLean, MC - 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) CEF Military Cross recipient. Killed in action at Sancourt, France, 30 September 1918.

Object/Artifact

Musée Canadian Grenadier Guards Museum

Name/Title

Description

An original photo of Lieutenant Stewart Smith McLean, 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) who was Killed in action on 30th September 1918 accompanied by an original 1936 Vimy memorial Pilgrimage Medallion showing on the obverse the grieving figure representing the motherhood of Canada mourning her lost sons. ABOUT THE CGG OFFICER: Lieutenant Stewart Smith McLean was born in Campbellton, Restigouche County, New Brunswick on December 23rd, 1894. Prior to WW1, he was a Private and Signaler with the 73rd Regiment (The North Shore New Brunswick Regiment) and was employed as a bank clerk with the Bank of Nova Scotia prior to enlisting with the 132nd (North Shore) Battalion, CEF. Upon arrival in the UK, he was transferred to the 13th Reserve and 22nd Reserve Battalions before attending the CEF trench Warfare School in Crowborough, UK. On completion, he was assigned and joined the 87th Battalion (CGG) as a Platoon Commander on2 May 1917. During battle on the 20th of August 1917, he was reported missing in action and presumably killed, only to reappear wounded 7 days later. For his Bravery, he was awarded a Military Cross on October 1917. After recuperating from his wounds during the rest of 1917 Lieutenant McLean returned to the 87th Bn (CGG) on 11th February 1918 and fought with distinction until 30th September 1918 when he once again went missing in action and was presumed killed. It took 2 months until the 27th of November 1918 to confirm his death and he is the only Canadian Grenadier Guard buried at Sancourt Military Cemetery in Northern France. Lieut. Stewart Smith McLean's citation for the Military Cross: ***Mis-identified in the London Gazette as 4th Bn instead of 87th Bn Inf*** 27/10/1917 "During the counter-attack on 30th August 1918, he led his platoon forward with great gallantry through an intense barrage to the place of assembly, and then took them through the Upton Woods, in spite of thick under-growth. On emerging from the wood, he rushed a nest of machine guns, capturing four guns and over forty prisoners. His coolness and skill and good leadership inspired his men with great confidence and enabled the advance to be made with few casualties."

Created By

Bertille L. Hurel

Create Date

July 6, 2022

Updated By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Update Date

October 27, 2024