William (Bill) McLennan was a great uncle. He was the son of William McLennan and Mary Black McLennan née McGilvray. They lived at Rosebank Cottage, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland. He died on 02/07/1916 and is buried at St. Pol Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. He served in the 7th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders with service number 3146.
I have two photographs of William (Bill) McLennan and a postcard and letter he sent home. I have several official letters and telegraphs about him being wounded on 11/06/1916 and what happened subsequently. He suffered gunshot wounds to his right arm and left leg. His leg was amputated. There are letters from the sister and night sister at No 12 Stationary Hospital where he was being treated. There is correspondence about whether one of his parents could visit him in hospital; a visit was not permitted. William (Bill) McLennan is commemorated on both Banchory War Memorial and Turriff (Aberdeenshire) War Memorial. There is a letter that accompanied the British War and Victory Medals that were sent to his parents on 27/06/1921.
Name of contributor(s)
Anne ParkSubject of the story/individual the object(s) relate to
William (Bill) McLennan. Private, 1/7th Gordon Highlanders. 2nd Highland Infantry Brigade.Date(s) the event(s) in the story took place
02/07/1916Location(s) where the event(s) in the story took place
Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland. St. Pol Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France.Object(s)
1. Photograph of William McLennan in civilian clothes, aged 21. 1 image.
2. Photograph of Private William McLennan in military uniform. 1 image.
3. Postcard from Albert, France, from William McLennan signed Bill to his mother. It has two photographs of Basilique de Notre Dame de Brebieres (c�t� Est). One is "apr�s plusieurs bombardments par les Allemands"� and one is before the bombardment. 1 image.
4. Letter from William McLennan to his mother dated 16/05/1915. 1 image.
5. Official Letters and telegraphs to Wm McLennan, Banchory, about his son, William McLennan, being wounded on 11/06/1916, then being dangerously ill and dying. 6 images.
6. Letter dated 24/06/1916 from the sister at No 12 Stationary Hospital to Mrs McLennan about her son, William McLennan. 1 image.
7. Correspondence about the possibility of his father or mother visiting William McLennan in hospital. 4 images.
8. Letters from the sister and night sister at No 12 Stationary Hospital about William McLennan. 5 images.
9. Typewritten letter from someone at No 12 Stationary Hospital to Mrs McLennan about William McLennan. 1 image.
10. Official letter to Mr Wm McLennan informing him of the death of William McLennan. 1 image.
11. Official letter to Mr William McLennan informing him of the location of the grave of William McLennan. 1 image.
12. The burial of William McLennan. 1 image.
13. Postcard carrying a photograph of Banchory War Memorial. 2 images.
14. Photograph of Turriff War memorial. 1 image.
15. Letter accompanying the British War and Victory medals awarded to William McLennan. 1 image.Community Collection Day
Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen (27/02/19)
