Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. and Bar group of three awarded to Private J. D. McLean, 50th (Calgary) Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was wounded at Vimy and later gassed

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (808821 Pte. J. D. McLean, 50/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (808821 Pte. J. D. McLean, 50-Can. Inf.) nearly extremely fine (3) £700-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces.

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M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘Before Passchendaele, during operations 21-27 October 1917, as Company Stretcher-Bearer, he worked unceasingly tending and caring for the wounded under the most difficult and trying conditions. He never sought cover for himself and went wherever there were wounded to be attended to. The thorough knowledge of the ground and position of our posts which he acquired on for (sic)wounded later proved to be of great value in the subsequent advance.’

Bar to M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1919.

John Donald McLean was born in Bracebridge, Ontario, on 14 October 1888. Living in Calgary and employed as a Millwright, he enlisted into the 137th (Calgary) Battalion in February 1916. Proceeding to France he was transferred to the 50th (Calgary) Battalion in March 1917 and was wounded shortly afterwards in the area of Vimy on 27 April, taking shrapnel to the face and cheek; and at the Battle of Valenciennes on 1 November 1918, he was gassed. Awarded the M.M. and Bar, McLean was discharged at Calgary in February 1919 and died there in February 1962; sold with copied service papers.