John McLean was born in Scotland and was working at Matarae, near Middlemarch when he signed the paper at Ranfurly on April 30, 1917 to join the New Zealand army.
John was wounded in the attack on Polderhoek Chateau on December 3rd, 1917 - taking a bullet to the chest, a wound described in his records as "severe." He had recovered enough by May 1918 to be placed back on the rolls of the Otago Infantry Regiment but was shortly after listed as "unfit."
His cause of death is recorded as "myocardial degeneration" - whether this was influenced by a German bullet in his chest is unknown.
Due to the confusion with another "John McLean" commemorated in the cemetery where he is buried, this story may be very inaccurate - I am more than happy to be corrected so that both "John McLeans" can have their stories told.
DEATHS
McLEAN. — On February 8, 1937, at Dunedin (suddenly), John McLean, No. 55782, late N.Z.E.F "At rest.” — The Funeral will leave our Mortuary Chapel, 280 King Edward street, South Dunedin To-day (Tuesday), February 9, at 11 a.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery — Cole and Son, funeral directors. -Otago Daily Times, 9/2/1937.
IN MEMORIAM
John McLean, 55782, Otago Regiment, died suddenly February 8, 1937. — Inserted by D. Goodman. -Otago Daily Times, 8/2/1938.
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