Alexander McLean was the son of Hugh and Ann McClean. He was born in Portglenone on 13th June 1898. His father was a farm labourer. They lived in the Portglenone area, latterly in Bracknamuckley. Rifleman Alexander McLean was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action in Belgium on Tuesday 29th May 1917.
Further Information
Alexander McLean was the third son of Hugh and Ann McClean. Hugh McLean and
Anne Surgenor were married on 5th December 1884 in the district of Ballymena.
Alexander McLean was born in Portglenone on 13th June 1898.
Family: Hugh McLean, Anne McLean, Eliza Lizzie McLean (born 1st June 1885), James McLean (born 16th July 1887), Thomas McLean (born 30th September 1889), Agnes McLean (born 15th December 1891), Anna M McLean (born 14th April 1896), Alexander McLean (born 13th June 1898), Hugh McLean (born 11th January 1902, died 5th May 1903), Matthew McLean (born 11th January 1902), Sarah McLean (born 2nd May 1905).
The 1901 census lists Alexander as age 2 living with the family at house 55 in Garvaghy, Portglenone. His father was a farm labourer.
The 1911 census lists Alexander as age 13 living with the family at house 45 in Bracknamuckley, Lisnagarran, County Antrim. He was still at school.
Alexander McLean enlisted in Ballymena.
Rifleman Alexander McLean was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action in Belgium on Tuesday 29th May 1917. He was 18 years old.
From the Ballymena Observer dated 15th June 1917:
Mr Hugh McClean, Bracknamuckley, Portglenone, has been officially notified that his third son, Rifleman Alexander McClean, Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on May 29th 1917.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 15th June 1917:
Rifleman Alexander McClean, Royal Irish Rifles, Bracknamuckley, Portglenone, killed in action.
Last Will and Testament of Rifleman Alexander McClean dated 19th December 1916
In the event of my death I leave all my property and effects to my mother Mrs Ann McClean, Bracknamuckley, Portglenone, County Antrim. Signed McClean A, Rifleman Royal Irish Rifles, 19/12/16
Rifleman Alexander McLean is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, Heuelland, Belgium
Rifleman Alexander McLean is also commemorated on 3rd Portglenone Presbyterian Church’s Roll of Honour plaque inside the church.
The CWGC record Rifleman A McLean as the son of Hugh and Ann McLean of Bracknamuckly, Portglenone, Ballymena, County Antrim.
