Joseph McLaren MM

Rank:

Sergeant

Regimental number:

11387

Unit at enlistment:

4th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Awards or decorations:

Military Medal

Commemorated at:

Brantford Congregational Church PSA Brotherhood

Birth country:

Scotland

Birth county:

Forfarshire

Birth city:

Dundee

Address at enlistment:

185 Marlborough Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

185 Marlborough Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Machinist

Employer:

Ham and Nott Co.

Religious denominations:

Methodist

Marital status:

Single

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 30172
Date: July 9, 1917
Honour or Award: Military Medal
Authority: R.O. 2924, Currie, May 16, 1917
Name: Joseph McLaren (11387)
Unit: 13th Canadian Machine Gun Company

Details: On the morning of April 9th, 1917 in the operations of the 1st Canadian Division South of Thelus, Corp. McLaren, showed great courage and bravery when his section came under heavy shell fire. The section was split up but the rear portion was successfully brought forward by Corp. McLaren under very trying conditions. His gun crew was the first to be in action and he set a noble example of bravery and devotion to duty throughout the whole action.

BX May 26, 1915

Graphic Letters From Wounded Brantford Boys – Pte. Albert Henry Adams and Pte. Joseph McLaren Write Thrilling Accounts of the Fierce Fighting Around Ypres Toward the End of Last Month

Two interesting accounts of personal adventures during the heavy fighting around Langemarck have been received in the city, one by H.B. Adams from his son, Pte. Albert Henry Adams, who is now in a Leeds hospital, and one from Pte. Joseph McLaren, also of this city. They tell in simple but interesting language the personal experiences of the two men, both of whom were wounded, being now in the hospital. The letters follows:

The following letter has been received by local friends from Pte. Joseph McLaren, of this city, who is now in England at a military hospital.

April 25, 1915

Dear People,

Just a few lines to let you know that I am safe, and to tell you not to worry about me. We have had a terrible time of it. It started with the British taking Hill No. 10. As the Germans could not take it back from them by counter attacks they massed against the French to the left. The French were shelled out of their trenches, lost their guns and beat it back. The Canadians saw them and saw something was a matter. They got a line on the Germans and held them back but not until they had advanced quite a distance.

We then had orders to get ready about 11 o’clock at night, and we moved off and took up a position about 900 yards from the Germans. We were getting shelled all the while. About 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning we started the attack. It was awful advancing over open ground with not one place of cover to be seen. We were getting mowed down by hundreds, chaps fell around me. I got it right through the left forearm just scraping the bone. The doctor says I am lucky.

I was lying out in the open but about 30 yards from me was a ditch, so I made for it on my stomach. Gee! I thought I would never get there. The bullets were flying around very thickly and shrapnel and “Jack Johnsons” were coming down all over the place. I fell into the ditch full up with water, and lay there for three hours. While lying there I got a shrapnel wound in the left shoulder and a piece of hard mud or brick on the chest. I crawled up the ditch to the dressing station, amid shrapnel, bullets and big shells. I am lucky. I think my life is charmed, but believe me I did not forget to say my prayers.

I got fixed up at the dressing station where there were some awful sights. Then I beat it across the country and across the canal and arrived safe at the field ambulance. I went quite a distance by motor to St. Omer, and then on to the Canadian hospital in a Casino – a fine place, where I am well looked after. I will leave for England perhaps tomorrow. I don’t think that very many of the Brantford boys are left. Lahque of H. Company is in the next bed to me, with a wound in the thigh. Lieut. Miller is here too, with a wound in the head. Cheer up folks, and God bless you.

Will write more soon,
Joe

Pte. McLaren’s relatives yesterday received a short note from the nurse in the hospital where he is being cared for stating that he was suffering from neuralgia, which prevents him from writing himself, but that otherwise he was getting along nicely.

BX May 10, 1915

Official notification was received by telegram this morning by William McLaren, 185 Marlborough Street, that his son, Private Joseph McLaren, was wounded in the fighting which took place 2 weeks ago at Langemarck. No details were given concerning the seriousness of the wounds, but particulars were promised on their arrival at Ottawa.

Private Joseph McLaren served for two and a half years with the Dufferin Rifles, and at the time of his enlistment was employed as a machinist at the Ham and Nott factory, where he was a popular and valued employee. He is a single man and other than his association with the Duffs he had no previous military experience.

BX October 23, 1916

This morning’s casualty list gives the name of Private Joseph McLaren wounded. On Saturday his mother, Mrs. W. McLaren, 185 Marlborough Street, received a telegram from the Records Department at Ottawa, informing her that he had been officially reported admitted to a convalescent depot on October 10, 1916, suffering from shrapnel wound in the forehead. This is the second time that Pte. Joseph McLaren, who went overseas with the 1st Contingent, has been wounded. Mrs. McLaren has had in all some seven killed during the war.

BX December 3, 1917

Home on Furlough

Sergeant Joseph McLaren, son of Mrs. William McLaren, 185 Marlborough Street, arrived in the city by the Montreal express yesterday morning. He left as a private with the First Contingent, but was promoted on the field to the rank of sergeant, and received the Military Medal for “bravery on the field.” He was wounded twice, and has been allowed home for a short furlough. A warm welcome was accorded him at the Marlborough Street Methodist Sunday school in the afternoon. He was the first of their heroes to go, and the first to come back. The superintendent invited him to the platform, and as he came forward all the school rose and sang the National Anthem, and “God Save Our Splendid Men.” The minister explained to the school the meaning of the stripes and ribbons that the veteran wore and showed the medal that had been so honorably won.

BX February 18, 1918

Sergeant Joseph McLaren Returns Overseas

On Saturday evening Sergeant Joseph McLaren left Brantford to report at Halifax tomorrow for duty overseas. He arrived home on December 1, 1917, on furlough, having received leave of absence owing to the death of his father. Sergeant McLaren left here with the first contingent, and is now with the 13th machine gun section. He has been twice wounded and received the Military Medal for bravery displayed at Vimy Ridge, being decorated on the field.

“I would rather be in the line when the boys come home than clapping my hands and looking on,” he told the group of young people from the Marlborough street Methodist church who went down to the station to bid him farewell. Yesterday at the church in announcing the hymn, “For those in peril on the sea,” Rev. J.E. Peters made special reference to Sergeant McLaren’s departure.

BX January 4, 1944

Joseph McLaren

Joseph McLaren, husband of Jane Goodall, passed away Monday, at his home, 160 Nelson Street, in his forty-ninth year. Born in Scotland, he came to Canada 32 years ago and was employed as a postal clerk at the Brantford Post Office, but has been in ill-health for some time. He was an elder in Alexandra Presbyterian Church. During the First Great War, Mr. McLaren went overseas with the 4th Battalion, serving 4 ½ years, and was presented with a Military Medal by His Majesty King George V. Besides his widow, he leaves to mourn his loss one daughter, Miss Margaret McLaren, at home; one brother, William McLaren, and one sister, Mrs. L.M. Bernhard, City. Mr. McLaren is resting at Thorpe Brothers’ Funeral Home, West Street, where service will be conducted Thursday afternoon, with interment in Mount Hope Cemetery.

BX January 7, 1944

Joseph McLaren

The funeral of Joseph McLaren, 160 Nelson Street, was conducted Thursday afternoon from Thorpe Brothers Funeral Home. Rev. J.R. Esler of Alexandra Presbyterian Church, was in charge of the service, assisted by Rev. John Kelman. A solo “Jesus Lover of My Soul,” was rendered by Mr. Fred Sayles, accompanied on the organ by Mr. M.E. Foster. The service was attended by many relatives and friends and the staff of the Post Office, where Mr. McLaren had served for a number of years, was well represented. The pallbearers were J. Mills, C. Kenyon, F. Williams, G. Stephenson, J. Mavin and W. Blacker. The interment took place in the Mount Hope Cemetery.