Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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14442874   Fusilier Robert McLean
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 18/07/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 11th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers (British Army)
Died: 27/10/1944 (Killed in Action)
Age: 20
Summary      
Robert McLean was the son of Robert and Mary McLean. He was born about 1924. The family lived in the Mormeal area. Robert McLean and his brother Samuel McLean enlisted in November 1943 and both served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers. Fusilier Robert McLean was serving with the 11th Battalion when he was killed in action near Wouw in the Netherlands on 27th October 1944. He was struck by a grenade.
Fusilier Robert McLean
Further Information
Robert McLean was the son of Robert and Mary McLean. He was born about 1924.
Known family: Robert McLean, Mary A McLean, Robert McLean (born about 1924), Samuel McLean.
The family lived in the Mormeal area.
Robert McLean and his brother Samuel McLean enlisted in November 1943 and both served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Fusilier Robert McLean
Fusilier Robert McLean
Fusilier Robert McLean was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers when he was killed in action near Wouw in the Netherlands on 27th October 1944.
Samuel McLean saw his brother struck by a grenade about fifty yards away, and was killed instantaneously.
Fusilier Robert McLean was buried the next day beside a little school at Wouw, Holland.
From an unknown newspaper: Tobermore Soldier
Newspaper report
Information has been received from the War Office that Fusilier Robert McLean, second son of Mr and Mrs R McLean, Mormeal, aged 20 years, has been killed in action in North West Europe. The deceased and his brother Samuel joined up eleven months ago and served in the same regiment. The latter saw his brother struck by a grenade about fifty yards away, and when he went up to him, he was dead. He saw him buried next day beside a little school at Wouw, Holland.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th November 1944:
McClean – In ever loving remembrance of our dear cousin, who was killed in active service in France in October 1944.
‘Today I am thinking of someone who now lies in a hero’s grave.
Whose smile was as bright as the sunshine.
That someone, dear Bobbie, is you.’
Ever remembered by his loving cousins. Knocknagin, Desertmartin.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 2nd December 1944: Tobermore Soldier Killed
Information has been received from the War Office that Fusilier Robert McLean (second son of Mr and Mrs R McLean, of Mormeal), aged 20 years, has been killed in action on North West Europe. The deceased, and his brother Samuel, joined up eleven months ago and served in the same regiment. The latter saw his younger brother struck by a grenade about fifty yards away, and when he went up to him he was dead. He saw him buried next day beside a little school at Wouw, Holland.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 21st December 1944: Tobermore Soldier Wounded (Fusilier Samuel McLean – brother of Fusilier Robert McLean)
Information has been received from the War Office that Fusilier Samuel McLean, aged 19 years (third son of Mr and Mrs Robert McLean, of Mormeal), has been wounded in France on the Western Front and is in hospital. His mother later received a letter from the nurse attached to the hospital stating that he was recovering satisfactorily and is looking forward to seeing them all at home as soon as possible. His brother, Fusilier Robert McLean, was killed in action about two months ago.
Exhumation Sheet
Fusilier Robert McLean was reinterred in Bergen-Op-Zoom War Cemetery on 16th April 1946. His inscription reads: HE LIVES IN CHRIST.
Fusilier Robert McLean -  Bergen-Op-Zoom War Cemetery
Fusilier Robert McLean is commemorated locally on Tobermore War Memorial.
The CWGC record Fusilier Robert McLean as the son of Robert and Mary A McLean of Tobermore, County Derry, Northern Ireland.
Read more
Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Tobermore area Tobermore CWGC lists parents in Tobermore area 54.813854 -6.711137
2 Mormeal, Draperstown Draperstown Family lived in Mormeal, Tobermore 54.792883 -6.743494
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 Billiongraves.com Photo of Fusilier Robert McLean's grave
2 Facebook - Tobermore War Memorial Fusilier Robert McLean photo and newspaper reports
3 Facebook - Tobermore War Memorial Fusilier Robert McLean newspaper report
4 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Fusilier Robert McLean's grave can be purchased here
5 Wikipedia - Operation Pheasant Details of Operation Pheasant
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023