Balfron couple’s second son dies as shell explodes

A Balfron couple were 100 years ago this week mourning their second son to die in the fighting. Pte William McLean, A&SH, was killed in action on December 7, 2016. News of his death was conveyed to his parents, Mr and Mrs Joseph McLean, of Greystone. Pte McLean was one of two men killed instantly by the bursting of a shell as they assisted wounded comrades. Described as having a quiet disposition, 19-year-old Pte McLean worked on the Ballikinrain Estate before enlisting. The Observer said: “The blow to his mother and father is all the greater as this is their second son lost to the war.” A week earlier the paper reported on the death of Pte Alexander Walker, whose parents lived at Cherrybank. ***

*** Strathblane soldiers Pte D Morrison, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, and Pte J Paton, Machine Gun Section, were reported to be in Stobhill Hospital. Another villager, Pte Aikman, also KOSB, was in hospital in England. “All had seen a good deal of fighting on the Western Front,” said the Observer. ***

*** Dunblane soldier Pte Alexander McGregor, a bugler with Scottish Horse, was reported killed in action on November 13, 1916, at Beaumont Hamel, during the last days of the Battle of the Somme. The 20-year-old was one of two sons of Mr and Mrs Robert McGregor, Braefoot, to be on active service at that time. Alexander was mobilised at the start of the war and saw service in the Dardanelles before being sent home suffering from dysentery. He later joined the Black Watch and had gone to the Front several months ago. Before the war he was employed by Messrs Virtue and Co, Stirling, as an apprentice ironmonger. And he was reputed to be a fine golfer who played at a club in the area. His brother was still serving with Scottish Horse.

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*** On the home front, the Observer reported that “through the kindness of Her Grace Duchess of Montrose, pupils attending Buchanan School are being supplied daily with a cup of Oxo”. This was proving “a great boon in the cold weather and very much appreciated by the children”.