Duncan McLaren
Duncan McLaren #259861
Personal Info Duncan Mackay McLaren was from Carleton Place, ON. He was five foot ten inches tall and had blue eyes and brown hair. He was single when he joined the army. His religion was Presbyterian. He was born to David Barr McLaren and Rebecca (McRae) McLaren on Dec. 29, 1892 in Renfrew. His mother, Rebecca died sometime between 1901 and 1911. In 1911, his parents were listed as David B and Isabella McLaren and living on edge of Carleton Place. He was the oldest of seven children including John who served, David who died, Jean, Isabella and Rebecca and stepsister Elizabeth. His stepmother, Isabella, was from Bruce County. His father was from Bromley, ON and worked as a merchant.
Military Movements Duncan McLaren enlisted on the 4th of September, 1917. He was 26 years old and he did not die in the war. The force he joined was the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. His regimental number was 259861. Duncan arrived in England on Oct. 17, 1917 sailing on the SS Metagama. He was assigned to the 7th and 6th Reserve battalion initially. He then joined the PPCLI on Feb. 27, 1918. He was shot at Arras on Aug 27, 1918 and in the hospital for three months. He then went to the 6th reserve on Dec. 3 and finally discharged on Jan. 11, 1919.
Field of Action Duncan McLaren was part of the first army that went from Arras to Cambrai. At 3am on August 26, 1918 under the cover of darkness and rain, the army attacked the Germans who were caught off guard but reacted quickly. By nightfall, the 1st army had gained 1,000 yards of old trenches. The next day, the Canadian Army attacked the Fresnes-Rouvroy line, which had been reinforced in the rain and mud. The Canadians pushed forward. The next day, the army attacked again. Finally, after three days and the loss of 5,801 men, the Canadian army gained five miles. It was in this battle on Aug 27, Duncan McLaren was wounded. It took three days for him to be taken to the PPC Red Cross Hospital in Cowden Camp, Bexhill, England hospital.
Medical Records He was shot through the right hand and right lower thigh. When he was discharged, he had scars, but was considered to be sound and fit.
Discharge Info Duncan McLaren was discharged on Feb. 11, 1919 in Ottawa. He returned to Canada on the hospital ship Princess Elizabeth. He was planning to come back to Carleton Place to do farming again. However, he moved to Toronto in 1921 where he worked as a bookkeeper and rented an apartment. He then moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1922 and married Kathleen Pickles on Dec. 29, 1923. He also registered in 1942 as a home guard for the American army during WWII. Duncan died on April 7, 1964 with Kathleen dying in 1972.
By Sadie Fergusson
Personal Info Duncan Mackay McLaren was from Carleton Place, ON. He was five foot ten inches tall and had blue eyes and brown hair. He was single when he joined the army. His religion was Presbyterian. He was born to David Barr McLaren and Rebecca (McRae) McLaren on Dec. 29, 1892 in Renfrew. His mother, Rebecca died sometime between 1901 and 1911. In 1911, his parents were listed as David B and Isabella McLaren and living on edge of Carleton Place. He was the oldest of seven children including John who served, David who died, Jean, Isabella and Rebecca and stepsister Elizabeth. His stepmother, Isabella, was from Bruce County. His father was from Bromley, ON and worked as a merchant.
Military Movements Duncan McLaren enlisted on the 4th of September, 1917. He was 26 years old and he did not die in the war. The force he joined was the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. His regimental number was 259861. Duncan arrived in England on Oct. 17, 1917 sailing on the SS Metagama. He was assigned to the 7th and 6th Reserve battalion initially. He then joined the PPCLI on Feb. 27, 1918. He was shot at Arras on Aug 27, 1918 and in the hospital for three months. He then went to the 6th reserve on Dec. 3 and finally discharged on Jan. 11, 1919.
Field of Action Duncan McLaren was part of the first army that went from Arras to Cambrai. At 3am on August 26, 1918 under the cover of darkness and rain, the army attacked the Germans who were caught off guard but reacted quickly. By nightfall, the 1st army had gained 1,000 yards of old trenches. The next day, the Canadian Army attacked the Fresnes-Rouvroy line, which had been reinforced in the rain and mud. The Canadians pushed forward. The next day, the army attacked again. Finally, after three days and the loss of 5,801 men, the Canadian army gained five miles. It was in this battle on Aug 27, Duncan McLaren was wounded. It took three days for him to be taken to the PPC Red Cross Hospital in Cowden Camp, Bexhill, England hospital.
Medical Records He was shot through the right hand and right lower thigh. When he was discharged, he had scars, but was considered to be sound and fit.
Discharge Info Duncan McLaren was discharged on Feb. 11, 1919 in Ottawa. He returned to Canada on the hospital ship Princess Elizabeth. He was planning to come back to Carleton Place to do farming again. However, he moved to Toronto in 1921 where he worked as a bookkeeper and rented an apartment. He then moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1922 and married Kathleen Pickles on Dec. 29, 1923. He also registered in 1942 as a home guard for the American army during WWII. Duncan died on April 7, 1964 with Kathleen dying in 1972.
By Sadie Fergusson