48088 Private Robert Barclay McLaren, 1914-12/7/1942.

Robert Barclay was a farm labourer in the Maniototo when he married his wife elizabeth and the went off to war.

MARRIAGES

MCLAREN — ANDERSON — On August 26, 1941, at the bride’s home, 18 Littlebourne crescent, by the Rev. J. Pringle. Robert Barclay, only son of Mr and Mrs D. M. McLaren, Patearoa, to Elizabeth Margaret, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs A. F. Anderson, Dunedin.  -Otago Daily Times, 4/9/1941.

Robert was with the 20th Battalion when they were sent to a place called Ruweisat Ridge, to try and stop the drive of Rommel's army towards the Suez Canal.  The Ridge “had to be held at all costs,” explained one British general, “for its loss would give the enemy observation and a springboard on to the area through which ran the whole communications of the Eighth Army.”

The New Zealanders and other formations of the British Army were dug in on the Ridge and were about the last barrier to an Army which had almost reached the limit of its supplies and weapon - especially tanks.  But a breakthrough would would win the war in North Africa and had to be attempted.  The breakthrough did not occur and the defence of Ruweisat Ridge gave the British forces behind them time to construct a defensive line around a place called El Alamein.

The day that Robert McLaren died is described in the 20th Battalion's "Official History."

Twenty-third Battalion and the Maoris had become ‘boxed’ at the debussing point and this had caused some of the units to deviate from their correct line of march to the left. At 9.30 p.m. the Brigade Commander advised that the brigade was too far forward and to the west. Accordingly, at 1 a.m. on 12 July the brigade formed up in close formation and moved 800 yards east, taking up a position with the 20th in front, 19th on the left, and the Maoris in the rear. From 5.30 till 9.30 a.m. the enemy shelled and mortared the positions heavily and our artillery replied with counter fire. After the four-hours' blitz firing continued spasmodically till 2.30 p.m., when things became comparatively quiet. A check-up on casualties showed that the 20th had not fared so badly: one officer slightly wounded, one man killed and twenty wounded.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

McLAREN. — Died of wounds, Egypt, Private Robert Barclay, dearly loved husband of Elizabeth M. McLaren, and dearly loved only son of Donald McD. and Isa McLaren, Patearoa; aged 28 years.  -Otago Daily Times, 30/7/1942.

In Memoriam

McLAREN. —A tribute of love and in proud mempry of Private Robert Barclay McLaren, died of wounds, July 12, 1942. Inserted by his wife, mother and father, Patearoa.  -Otago Daily Times, 12/7/1943.

Ranfurly Cemetery.