Lance Corporal Marcus McLean 356377

Identification

There was only one Marcus McLean on the census, BMD and CWGC records and he was from Liverpool.

Family Information

Baptism records show that Marcus McLean was born in Liverpool on 6th September 1893 and was baptised in St Peter's Church on 22nd February 1894.

His parents were William and Sarah McLean and they lived on Roche Street

(I believe this is a misspelling of Roach St). William was a joiner.

source Ancestry.co.uk

In the 1901 census the McLean family were living at 32 Roach Street in Toxteth. William was still head of the household and working as a joiner. The census shows us that Marcus was the youngest of 7 children and the first member of the family born outside of Ireland.

At the time of the 1911 census the McLean family lived at 208 Windsor Street, Toxteth. William was still head of the household and stated his occupation as 'Undertaker and Joiner' working on his own account and at home; the 1911 Gore's Directory of Liverpool and Suburbs has the business listing for Mclean, William & Sons, Undertakers, 208 Windsor St.  Marcus was working as a builder's clerk, his siblings at home all had jobs that suggest a good education with 2 other clerks, one teacher and one undertaker's assistant in the family business.  

Military Service

Marcus McLean's Medal Index Card (below, source: ancestry.co.uk) shows that he was a private in the Liverpool Regiment with the regimental numbers 4868 and 356377.  These numbers show that he enlisted sometime in June 1915.

The card shows that Marcus McLean first entered the war on 24th December 1915 in France. He was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1915 Star, the card does not record his promotion to Lance Corporal.

Death and Commemoration

Marcus McLean was killed in action with the 10^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment on 9^th April 1918. 

The battalion war diary shows that in March the Battalion had been rested which means they were out of the front line and took part in various training exercises and organised activities such as performances by the Battalion concert party and a platoon 6-a-side football tournament (which was won by Transport Coy). On 28^th March the Battalion was moved to the front line. 31^st March was Easter Sunday.

On 1^st April the Battalion was occupying front line and support trenches directly opposite La Bassee Canal.  Over the next week there was some shelling by the enemy including gas shells, we made a successful raid on the German trenches and brought back a prisoner for identification. The diary records various incidents of sniping and bombs being thrown. It records that on the 8^th April the battalion received orders to relieve part of the Portuguese Division the following day then in the early hours of the 9^th April a heavy bombardment of our lines began, followed by the order for battle positions. The 10^th KLR moved to occupy their battle position in Tuning Fork Locality, they were heavily shelled with high explosives and gas shells en route and sustained heavy casualties. At 9.50am after 5 hours of heavy shelling, the Germans attacked along the front line.  The 10^th KLR held off the enemy attack but the Portuguese Division to their left could not, the Germans penetrated our lines and the 10^th KLR had to form a defensive flank on that side which they did using Loisne Central trench. The night was quiet.

Trench map showing the Tuning Fork area. Loisne Central would be in the very top left of the map if it was shown.

Marcus McLean is commemorated at Gorre British and Indian Cemetery. The following paragraphs are from the CWGC Cemetery Information Page for Gorre, and give the wider picture of the battle:

The British section of the cemetery was used by infantry and artillery units stationed in the area until April 1918, when the relative quiet of the sector was shattered by the German Spring Offensive and Gorre became a support post close behind the front line during the Battle of Estaire. This battle was one of two massive German assaults on the Commonwealth positions from Ypres to Festubert that became known as the Battle of the Lys. When the battle erupted on 9 April, the 55th (West Lancashire) Division occupied the front-line trenches running north from Givenchy to Richebourg L’Avoué. The Allied positions to their left, around the village of Le Touret, were held by Portuguese units. 
After a preliminary artillery bombardment that began on the evening of 7 April the German Sixth Army, spearheaded by storm troops, attacked in force early on the morning of the 9th. Heavy mist enabled the attackers to get very close to the Allied lines before they were observed and Portuguese units suffered heavy casualties and began to retire. Further south, the various formations of the 55th Division were hard pressed from the outset and the front line trenches around Givenchy were the scene of fierce fighting between British and German troops. The divisional brigade holding the northern section of the British line was forced to pull back, but well-organised counter-attacks and determined defence elsewhere enabled the 55th Division to hold its ground for the rest of the battle and prevent a major German breakthrough. Fighting continued in the trenches east of Gorre until 17 April when the German forces finally broke off the attack. In just over a week of fighting almost 3,000 officers and men of the Division had been killed, wounded, or taken prisoner, but the territory over which they had fought remained in Allied hands. 

Marcus McLean’s grave is ‘special memorial 2’ which I believe means that his is one of the graves which was lost due to shelling so he has a gravestone which indicates that he lies somewhere in the cemetery. There are only 4 of these special markers in the cemetery, the text on them reads "Believed to be buried in this cemetery". His mother had added to the inscription the motto of the 55th Division "THEY WIN OR DIE WHO WEAR THE ROSE OF LANCASTER"

Click here to see the CWGC entry for Marcus McLean.

You can view (and purchase) images of his gravestone on The War Graves Photographic Projectwebsite. His family in Liverpool also had him included on the family headstone which reads:

In

loving memory

of

William,

the beloved husband of

Sarah Cameron McLEAN,

who passed away 28th March 1918,

aged 63 years.

*Thy will be done.*

Also Marcus, L’Cpl: Lpool Scottish,

youngest son of the above,

killed in action in France 9th April 1918,

aged 24 years.

*Greater love hath no man than this.*

Marcus’s mother lost her husband and her youngest son within a few weeks. (I will add a photo of this headstone)

The entry in “UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919” for Marcus McLean records the following information:

Name:	Marcus Mclean
Residence:	Liverpool
Death Date:	9 Apr 1918
Death Location:	France & Flanders
Enlistment Location:	Liverpool
Rank:	L/Corporal
Regiment:	King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Battalion:	10th Battalion
Number:	356377
Type of Casualty:	Killed in action
Theatre of War:	Western European Theatre

The 10th Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment were the Liverpool Scottish.  Click here to open  the Liverpool Scottish Regimental Museum website. This site also contains images of the Liverpool Scottish WW1 Roll of Honour, a beautiful book which of course contains Marcus McLean's name.

Marcus’s family and his fiance, Elsie Hodgson,  also posted the following notices in the Liverpool Echo:

 (25th April 1918)

(26th April 1918)

Private Norman Bracher 358365

Norman Bracher

Identification

There was only one entry for an N Bracher in the CWGC database and this soldier was from Liverpool so I am confident that it is the right person.

Family Information

Norman Bracher was born in Liverpool on 2nd June 1898 (as shown on his baptism record) He was baptised 10th July the same year in the Church of St Margaret, Toxteth Park. His parents were John Edward and Elizabeth Alma of 62 Egerton St and John Edward's occupation was racquet maker.

The 1901 census return shows they were still living at 62 Egerton St with a total of 8 children, two were listed as John’s step-sons so it would appear that Elizabeth had been married before. John Edward (who was born in London) was now employed as a 'Club Hall Porter'

In the 1911 census the family were living at 86 Berkley St, Elizabeth Alma was listed as Alma Elizabeth and Norman was aged 12 and at school, we know that he attended Granby Street School. John Edward was working as a Hall Porter in a Racquet Club

Norman Bracher was a keen cricketer, he represented his school in three ‘A’ Division cricket finals and in three baseball finals. He was also a skilled footballer.  The sports section of the Liverpool Echo shows an N Bracher playing cricket for St James Lorretonians.

[The Racquet Club opened in 1877 at 102 Upper Parliament Street, it differed from other Gentlemen's Clubs in that it provided sports facilities as well as the usual social club.  It had two Racquets Courts and an American Bowling Alley, a dining room and billiards room. All available for an annual subscription of 5 Guineas. Between 1894 and 1896, the dining room was enlarged again; a new private room was added, new kitchens and electric lighting. At the same time the Bowling Alley was converted into two fives courts - one Eton and one Rugby but by the turn of the century the Rugby Fives court was being used as a squash court. A covered lawn tennis court with sprung wooden floor was added in 1913. The Racquet Club continued here until the building was destroyed by fire in the riots of 1981]

Military Information

Norman Bracher's medal card shows that he was a private in the Liverpool Regiment with the regimental number 358365. He received the victory medal and the British War Medal, the other sections of the card are blank.

His entry in UK SOLDIERS DIED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919 gives the following information:

Name: Norman Bracher Birth Place: Liverpool Residence: Liverpool Death Date: 15 Jul 1917 Death Location: France & Flanders Enlistment Location: Liverpool Rank: Private Regiment: King's (Liverpool Regiment) Battalion: 10th Battalion Number: 358365 Type of Casualty: Died of wounds Theatre of War: Western European Theatre The 10th battalion were the Liverpool Scottish but at the time of his death, Norman Bracher was attached to the 6th Camerons. The battalion history for the Cameron Highlanders shows that on the night of the 12/13th July, the Germans launched 1000 shells of mustard gas into Ypres. Some of the shells hit a convent where “C” company of 6th Camerons was billeted. Almost 200 men were affected, one officer and 36 men later died. It seems very likely that Norman was one of the men affected by the gas who died at a nearby clearing station.  The 4th, 47th and 21st casualty clearing stations were near Poperinghe, site of the gas attack. Commemoration Norman’s name was inscribed on the Granby St School Memorial (currently not on display) and on the St James memorial (stolen and destroyed). In 2012 the St James War Memorial Project had his name added to the Liverpool Town Hall, Hall of Remembrance. Norman’s family placed the following notices in the Echo: 27th , 28th and 30th July 1917 BRACHER – July 1915, died of gas poisoning in casualty clearing station, aged 19 years, Private Norman (Norrie) Bracher, K.L.R. (attached Camerons) dearly-beloved youngest son of John and Alma Bracher, 86, Berkley-street. “His duty nobly done”. 15th July 1918 BRACHER – In sad but loving memory of our dear son Norman (Norrie), K.L.R., attached Camerons, who died of wounds in France, July 15th 1917. – Never forgotten by his loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers, also Jack, George and Alick serving with the colours – 86, Berkley-street, Liverpool. Duty nobly done. Norman Bracher is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium in grave I.C.18 Click here to view Norman Bracher's entry in the CWGC website.  Dozinghem Military Cemetery (copyright CWGC)

10th Battalion The Liverpool Scottish - memorials

4 men from this memorial have been identified as serving with the Liverpool Scottish.

Norman Bracher

Lamont Grave

James Irvine

Marcus McLean

The Liverpool Scottish Museum Trust website has images from a beautiful illuminated book of remembrance which lists the names of all the Liverpool Scottish casualties, here are images of the cover, opening pages and the page with the entry for Norman Bracher. All the pages are viewable here on the site and higher resolution images can be purchased for £5

.

Images courtesy of the Liverpool Scottish Museum Trust, copyright holders.

Private Lamont Grave 3969

With such an unusual name I could be sure I had the right person, there was only one entry in the CWGC, one medal card and one entry for UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919.

I also found all the census returns, a will, service records and managed to contact a relative, all through Ancestry.com.

I went the extra step with Lamont and bought the War Diary for his battalion, it doesn't mention him by name but gives a clear picture of what his battalion experienced in the war.

LAMONT GRAVE

Lamont Grave was born in 1891 and his birth was registered in the third quarter of the year in West Derby, Liverpool. He was christened 13th December 1891 in Edge Hill, Liverpool. His parents were William and Margaret Grave. (William Grave and Margaret Anne Lamont, daughter of Archibald Lamont, were married 2nd July 1888 in Edge Hill) The 1891 census shows that Lamont's parents and his older sister Elizabeth lived at 22 Winifred Street, Liverpool.

In 1898 on the christening record for his sister Isobel Lilian, their parents were recorded as living at 7 Upper Stanhope Street and William was a sorting Clerk.

1901 census
In the 1901 census Lamont was 9 years old and, along with his 3 sisters, was enumerated at the house of his aunt and uncle (John and Jane Wagner) at 43 George Street.

Lamont's father and 4 year old sister Lilly were enumerated in the 1901 census at 7 Upper Stanhope Street as boarders at the house of Alice Grave, a widow and probably Lamont's aunt. Margaret is enumerated as a boarder in Hurry Street, Toxteth Park and working as a laundress. They may have been separated.

Lamont's mother died on the 3rd May 1910 in Liverpool, her will shows that she left £50 which went to her youngest daughter Isobel Lilian Grave (spinster)

1911 census
In the 1911 census Lamont, his three sisters and his father (now a widower) were all at the house of another aunt and uncle, Joseph and Mary Littlar of 6 Egerton Road, Wavertree. Lamont was 19 and employed as a merchant salesman.

Attestation
Lamont's attestation paper shows that he lived at 140 Alderson Road, Wavertree, He signed up on 6th Nov 1914 for 4 years with the Territorial Force and was posted to the 10th Battalion The King's (Liverpool) Regiment (The Liverpool Scottish) with the regimental number 3969.

Further information from his service records show that he was either 5ft 4and 1/2 inches or 5ft 6inches tall and weighed 130lbs and wore glasses, his physical development was good.

He embarked for France on 23rd January 1915 and joined his unit on 30th January. He went missing in action on 16th June 1915.

Lamont went missing on 16/6/1915 but it wasn't until 27th May 1916 that the War Office issued form b.2090c 'Death- acceptance of for official purposes' then on 28th August 1916 his personal effects - one identity disc - were sent to his sister Elizabeth Gladys Dutton of 140 Alderson Road, his next of kin, she also received his plaque, scroll and medals.

the probate record for his will (below) shows that he left his money (£171) to his sister Elizabeth Gladys.

Click here to see the CWGC entry for Private Lamont Grave

Here is a transcript of the War Diary for the Liverpool Scottish on the day Lamont went missing:

On the evening of the 14^th June Major A.S. Anderson proceeded to RAILWAY WOOD (Which is situated West of BELLEWARD farm and north of Hooge) from which point the 9^th Brigade were to attack on the morning of the 16^th. He took with him 2 men per company to act as markers & also 2 cyclists. At 4pmon the afternoon of the 15^th the Battalion left the camping ground near BUSSEBOOM and proceeded via YPRES to RAILWAY WOOD.

The attack was made on a frontage of about 1000 yards, the Northumberland, Royal Scots and Royal Fusiliers were detailed to take the first line and we in conjunction with the Lincolns were to take the 2^nd line, the 7^th brigade being in reserve.

We were shelled rather heavily between 12:30 and 2:10amon the morning of the 16^th + during this time several of our men were killed or wounded.

Our artillery bombardment started at 2/10am + carried out the work of demolition so successfully that little difficulty was experienced in taking the first and second line trenches.

Unfortunately however in continuing the advance we suffered many casualties as owing to the difficulty experienced in observing signals it was impossible to keep our shells ahead of the advancing infantry.

Although the 3^rd line German Trenches were reached it was impossible to hold on to them + so the whole Brigade consolidated the 1^st + part of the 2^nd line German trenches, manning them until 11/20pm on the night of the 16^th at which hour they were relieved by the 8^th Brigade. The casualties amongst our officers were particularly heavy + of the 24 officers who went up only Lieut Wall, 2^nd Lieut T G Roddick + Lieut Chevasse came back unscathed.

The work of all ranks throughout the day calls forth the highest praise, our bombing parties doing particularly good work.

The stretcher bearers throughout a very trying day did excellent work and showed great courage in attending to so many wounded under heavy shell fire. The following is an extract from a special order by Major General Haldane Commanding 3^rd division published on the 17^thJune

“The Major General Commanding cannot adequately express his admiration for the gallant manner in which the attack was carried out yesterday.

The dash and determination of all ranks was beyond praise and that some actually reached the objective in the first rush and remained there under most trying circumstances as a proof of their superiority over the Germans.

That the captured ground could not all be held is disappointing, more especially as the losses incurred were heavy. But these casualties have not been in vain.

The 3^rd Division carried out a fine piece of work, and fought splendidly, and their commander is deeply proud of them.”

From the 17^th to the end of the month the Battalion was encamped in the same field near Busseboom, Lieut L.G. Wall being in command, with 2^nd Lieut T.G Roddick acting adjutant, the time being devoted to company training and route marching.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A response to an enquiry from a historian made in 1929 is included in the diary, it gives these figures:

Our records give the number which went into the section as 23 officers and 519 other ranks. Of the officers, 4 were killed, 6 missing and 11 wounded. Of the other ranks 75 were killed, 10 missing and 201 wounded. All the missing officers were afterwards reported dead and, almost without exception, the same is true of the missing other ranks. It is true that our losses were exceeded by three other battalions of the brigade but our numbers to begin with were very much less. Of the three officers mentioned in the war diary as having come out unscathed, one was Captain N.G. Chavasse, the medical officer. Of the other two, second Lieut, T.G Roddick was knocked out by a shell and lay unconscious for most of the day. He was, however, able to carry on with the Battalion until the arrival of officer reinforcements. Lieut L.g Wall was therefore the only combatant officer who came through unhurt.

It is interesting to note that the Lieutenant Chavasse mentioned was Noel Godfrey Chavasse, who was twice awarded the Victoria Cross (the second VC was posthumous) and was the most highly decorated serviceman in the first world war. If you don't know about the Chavasse family I recommend you find out about their amazing accomplishments.


ADDITION
Many thanks to Lynda for sharing these photographs of a family picture of Lamont.

WAR DIARY 3 DIVISION 9 INFANTRY BRIGADE - CONTENTS

WO 95/1429

3 DIVISION, 9 INFANTRY BRIGADE: 10 Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment 1914 Nov. - 1915 Dec./ 13 Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment 1916 Apr. - 1919 Mar./ 1 Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 1914 Aug.

this is a list of what's in the file, I will add transcripts when I get time or when they are requested - make requests in the comments box or email me thewarmemorial@gmail.com

3^rd division War Diaries 10^th Scottish Battn The King’s Liverpool regt November and December 1914

• November 1914 (Disembarked Havre 3^rd November 1914)  - 4 pages HW
• December 1914 -  3 pages HW

3^rd Division 9^th Infantry Brigade 10^th King’s Liverpool Regiment 1^st January to 31^st December 1915 (to 55 DIV 166 BDE)

• January 1915 -  3 pages HW
• February  1915- 3 pages HW
• March 1915– 2 pages HW
• April 1915– 4 pages HW
• May 1915– 5 pages HW
• June 1915– 6 pages HW
• Letter to Brigadier-General (Sir) J.E.Edmonds dated 1929 regarding casualty figures for a book about the Liverpool Scottish.
• July 1915 – 2 pages
• August 1915 – 2 pages
• September 1915 – 2 pages
• October 1915 – 2 pages
• November 1915 – 2 pages
• December 1915 -  3 pages

13^th Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment Apl – Dec 1916 (from 8 BDE 3 DIV)

• (Battalion came from 8^th Brigade 4^th April 1916) APRIL 1916 – 1 page HW
• May 1916 – 1 page HW
• June 1916 -1 page HW
• July 1916 – 2 pages HW (note: for reports by O.C. 13/King’s (Liverpool Regiment) on operations of 13/14^th July and 23/24^th July, see War Diary of Headquarters, 9^th Infantry Brigade for July 1916)
• August 1916 – 2 pages HW
• Report on the operations between the 15^th + 20^th August 1916 in which the 13^th King’s (Liverpool) Rgt were engaged – 6 pages HW
• September 1916 - 1 page HW
• October 1916 - 1 page HW
• November 1916 -  4 pages HW
• December 1916 - 4 pages HW

3^rd Division War Diaries 13^th King’s Liverpool Regiment January to 31^st December 1917

• January 1917 -   3 pages typed
• February 1917 - 3 pages typed
• March 1917- 3 pages typed
• April 1917- 4  pages typed
• May 1917- 3 pages typed
• June 1917- 3 pages typed
• July 1917- 7 pages typed
• August 1917- 4  pages typed
• September 1917- 4  pages typed
• October 1917 - 3 pages typed (1^st-10^th illegible)
• November 1917- 3 pages typed
• December 1917- 4 pages typed

3^RD DIVISION 9^TH INFY BDE 13^TH (S) BATTALION KING’S (LIVERPOOL) REGIMENT 1918 JANUARY TO 1919 MAR (to 3 northern bde  div)

• January 1918 - 3 pages typed
• February 1918- 4 pages typed
• File No G12 Minor Operations 16/02/1918 Enemy raid 4 pages typed
• Map of trenches
• March 1918 - 7 pages typed
• April 1918- 5 pages typed
• Situation previous to the operations commencing 10^th April 1918 (1 page HW)
• Account of the part taken by 13thBn the King’s Regiment in the operations from 10^th to 20^th April. – 6 pages HW
• Report on minor operation undertaken by No 10 platoon of ‘C’Coy on afternoon of 11 April 1918 – 3 pages HW
• report of action taken by PEK in the operations from Apl 10^th to Apl 20^th – 2 pages HW
• May 1918 - 4 pages typed
• June 1918- 3 pages typed
• July 1918- 2 pages typed
• August 1918 - 5 pages typed

End of first file

Start of second file

• September 1918- 4 pages typed
• October 1918 – 2 pages typed
• Report on operations 13^th Bn The King’s  8^th Oct 1918 – 3 pages typed
• Report on operations 23^rd October 1918 – 4 pages typed
• November 1918 – 2 pages typed
• December 1918 – 2 pages typed
• February 1919 – 1 page typed
• March 1919 – 2 pages typed

3^rd division war diaries 1^st Battn Lincolnshire Regt August to December 1914

• (disembarked Havre 14/8/14) 1^st Battalion Lincolnshire Regt August 1914 -6 pages HW
• 1^st Lincs 9/3 notes referencing sketch map (?) 4 pages HW (dated 11/2/18?)
• September 1914 (continues until 2.10.14)  - 9 pages HW
• October 1914 – 10 pages HW
• November 1914 - 10 pages HW
• December 1914 – 12 pages HW

3^rd Division 9^th Infantry Brigade 1^st Lincolnshires From 1^st January to 30^th June 1915

• January 1915 – 5 pages HW
• February 1915 – 10 pages HW
• March 1915 – 9 pages HW
• April 1915 – 15 pages HW
• May 1915 – 14 pages HW
• June 1915 -  20 pages HW
• June 1915 summary -1 page HW
• 1^st Bn Lincolnshire Regt Operation Orders by Major H.E.R. Boxer, 3/6/15 – 1 page typed
• map Zillebeke

3^rd Division, 9^th Infantry Brigade, 1^st Lincolnshire from 1 July to October 1915. to 62^nd BDE 13^th November 1915. To 21 DIV 62 BDE

• July 1915 – 9 pages HW
• August 1915 – 16 pages HW
• September 1915 -  6 pages HW

END OF SECOND FILE

START OF THIRD FILE

1^st Battalion Lincolnshire Regt

• September 1915 CONTINUED  - 9 pages HW
• October 1915 – 10 pages HW

END OF THIRD FILE.