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William Alexander McLean enlisted with D Company 33rd Battalion on the 5th of January
1916 with the rank of Sergeant. He previously served with the 5th Australian Light Horse.
He lesft Sydney on board HMAT A74 "Martathon" on the 4th of May 1916.
The 33rd now set to bombing up the old trenches leading up to the upper end of the 1916 Spur where the
Peronne-Bapaume Road also ran through. On the nearer side of the road a German battery commander with
his gun crews and some infantry was blazing with six field-guns into the Australian groups everywere
they left shelter.
From the southward side Lieutenant. 559 Edward Allen TURNBULL. and
Lieutenant. 1205 Willaim Alexander McLEAN. M.C.
(BEAN, History of World War 1 Vol VI page 819)
Lieutenant: 1470 Leslie Roy BELL was in command of a Platoon on the right of our attack. He displayed great courage and sound leadershipespecially during the capture of ROAD WOOD. When temporarily held up by a Machine-Gun, Lieutenant BELL with three men rushed to post, killed two men and captured the gun and the remainder of the crew. On clearing the wood he again rushed and captured a Machine-Gun and its crew.
The enemy made a stand in the trench system east of the Wood; leading his bombers this Officer succeeded in clearing the trenches, inflicting casulties and taking several prisoners. While thus engaged he came under heavy artillery fire from a battery of 77mm guns firing over open sights. Seeing Lieutenant: 1205 William Alexander McLEAN's. platoon rushing towards these guns he gave covering fire with his Lewis-Gun and led a party forward and helped in the capture of the Battery. This Officer did especially good work in consolidation and reorganisationn and success. Throughout the night Lieutenant BELL displayed courage, determination and initiative of the highest order and set and admirable example to his men.
William retured to Australia on the 11th of May 1919.
He was a Farmer from "Rose-Wood" Black Mountain via Armidale New South Wales prior to enlistment. Returned from Active Service Duplicate was issued Badge Number:13465.
Brother; Sergeant: 1193 Archibald McLEAN. D.C.M M.M. 33rd Battalion.
(Australian National Archives)
Under Construction 1/11/2007.