Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Henry John McLean was the younger son of Duncan and Ann (née Le Ber; later Mrs Healey) McLean. He was born on 27 May 1868 at Timaru. Duncan McLean, a doctor from Scotland, and Ann Le Ber from the Channel Islands married on 3 May 1865 at Timaru. They had two daughters and two sons before Duncan’s death on 12 September 1871. Having come to New Zealand as a ship’s surgeon on the “Echunga”, Duncan practised medicine in Timaru. He was a much loved and respected doctor. Ann married John Thomas Healey in December 1873 at Timaru. They had three sons and three daughters. When young Harry McLean was admitted to the Timaru Public School (Main School) from Miss Ramsay’s private school in 1874, John Healey was his guardian, as he was for his brother Duncan and sister Agnes. All the children did very well at the Public School. Henry was awarded first prize in Class 2 arithmetic and commended in Latin in 1876. He received first prize in Class 1 general proficiency in 1877, his brother Duncan receiving second prize. He was placed second in Latin, and his sister Mary was placed in drawing. In the First Class in 1878, Henry was rewarded for general proficiency and placed second in Latin. He also received a First-Class certificate for “attendance every time the school has been opened, both morning and afternoon during the past twelve months”. His sister Mary, the oldest of the family, was dux for the girls and received several other prizes. In early 1879, eleven-year-old Henry J. McLean was placed third in the results of examinations for Scholarships Class A, while Mary J. McLean (12 years old) was ranked first in Class B. The following year Henry received £25 for first place (Class A) in the Scholarship examinations, and Mary £12 10s for second place (Class C). In 1880 at the Public School, Henry was awarded first prize for Class I general proficiency and Duncan received honourable mention. Henry also received honourable mention in mapping, drill (Duncan, too) and geometry, a special prize for best arithmetician in school and an attendance certificate. He received £30 for first in Class B in the annual scholarship examinations held in March 1881. Harry’s last year at the Public School (1882) was a good one. He was named dux of the school, received a first-class attendance certificate and was commended in drawing.

In early 1883, monetary prizes were awarded in a new national competition for children being educated in the Government schools, the subject of examination being Dr. B. W. Richardson’s Temperance Lesson Book. Henry J. McLean, Timaru, fourth equal with 135 marks out of 150. He also topped the local rankings in the scholarship examinations. This took Henry to the Timaru (Boys’) High School, where he was awarded prizes for arithmetic, mathematics in his first year; English, Latin, French, arithmetic, geography, mathematics, history and physiography in 1884. Both Henry and Duncan were in the local cricket club team to play against a Temuka team on the Saltwater Creek Flat on 16 December 1884. Henry and Duncan were both in crews to compete in Timaru Boating Club races from the Dashing Rocks to the end of the Breakwater on 12 December 1885. In the same year, he won prizes in French, history, drawing, writing and mapping at the Boys’ High School.

By the 1890 electoral roll, Henry John McLean was a bank clerk, residing in Otipua Road, Timaru, and Donald Patterson McLean was an accountant at Timaru, both probably living with their mother. In 1896 Henry is listed as a bank clerk in Wellington. He had, however, embarked on medical studies, having passed the Medical Preliminary in January 1895. He was then off to Edinburgh to continue his studies and follow the profession of his father. “The friends of Mr. H. J. McLean, late of the Star Boating Club, who only left the Bank of New South Wales, Wellington, a year ago, will be pleased to hear that at Edinburgh University he has just passed his first professional examination in his medical course. In anatomy he gained a gold medal.” [NZ Herald, 18 May 1896.] He and three other Canterbury students had distinguished themselves in the examinations. H. J. McLean, Timaru, had gained first-class honours and a medal in anatomy and second-class honours in practical chemistry. More glowing accounts followed the following year. “In the honours prize list of the faculty of medicine, at the Edinburgh University, published in the last Scotsman, we notice the name of Henry J. McLean, of Timaru, son of the late Dr McLean. He gains first-class honours and a medal in Practical Anatomy, and is awarded the Mackenzie Bursary for proficiency in dissecting. In Physiology he is high up in the first-class honours list, and he also gets first-class honours in Practical and in Systematic Surgery.” [Timaru Herald, 15 May 1897.] “The Scotsman, of March 24th, publishes the prize lists in connection with the Edinburgh University examinations, and the name of H. J. McLean, of Timaru, appears several times in the list, as follows: — The figures refer to his place in the lists: — Junior practical anatomy, medallist, bracketed 1st with three others; Mackenzie Bursaries for proficiency in dissecting, McLean and A. A. Martin equal 1st. Physiology, junior division, first class honours, 9th; systematic surgery junior, first class honours, 10th; practical surgery, junior honours, 49th.” [Timaru Herald, 3 June 1897.] Included in the list of successful candidates for the final degree of M.B., Ch.B. at the mid-1900 examinations held at Edinburgh University was J. J. McLean (distinction) and two other New Zealanders. Shortly after, Mr H. J. McLean, of Timaru and Wellington, was a caller at the Agency-General in London, where he had left his name two years prior. “Dr H. J. McLean, who resigned from the Wellington staff of the Bank of New South Wales to study medicine and surgery returned to Wellington by the Mokoia from Sydney. Dr. McLean, who is a brother of the new Principal of the Girls’ High School (Miss McLean), passed through the Edinburgh University with success, winning his degrees with honours. He was formerly well known in athletic circles in South Canterbury and in Wellington.” [Press, 27 September 1900.]

“Dr. Henry J. McLean who has just succeeded Dr. Fell as the lodge doctor for the Royal Antipodean Lodge of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, is a Timaru boy, and the son of a doctor. When Dr. Fell first became doctor to the Antipodeans, “Harry” McLean was attending the Timaru Public School. From school he went to the bank, and he was a bank clerk for several years in Wellington before he became a medical student. He was a tower of strength in the forward ranks of the Wellington Football Club for several years. Then, Mr McLean, budding banker, disappeared from the Empire City for several years — and came back to us some three years ago as Dr. McLean, and is now building up a prosperous practice. Another clever member of the Timaru family of the McLeans is the principal of the Girls’ High School of Wellington. Miss McLean like her brother (Dr. Henry McLean), obtained her primary education at the Timaru Public School. One of the coincidences of her life was that when a girl she was taught by Miss Hamilton, then second mistress of the Main School. After a period of not many years — for Miss McLean is still as young a woman as she looks — she succeeded Miss Hamilton as principal of the Wellington Girls’ High School. Another achievement of hers was that she became principal of the school at which she obtained part of her training — the Girls’ High School, Timaru.” [Free Lance, 27 December 1902.] For two years from March 1906, H. J. McLean was to be a physician on the honorary staff of the Wellington Hospital. Following the distribution of prizes at the Timaru High Schools in December 1908, an Honours Board which had been recently provided and erected at the boys’ school was unveiled by His Worship the Mayor, Mr Craigie. The Board “is very handsome, and of imposing appearance.” On the three panels in gold lettering are inscribed the Honours – Scholarships, Degrees, Medical Degrees, and below the last of these is the name – H. J. McLean, M.B., Ch.B., ’00 [1900]. Spending some months in England in 1909, Dr H. J. McLean, of Wellington, took his F.R.C.S degree at Edinburgh, his old university.

On 12 July 1912 in Wellington, before the Education Commission, the President of the Wellington branch of the British Medical Association, Dr. H. J. McLean, gave an exposé of conditions in school, ages for formal teaching, and approaches to certain subjects. So it was, when war was declared in August 1914, Henry John McLean was a surgeon in Wellington. Captain H. J. McLean, medical officer, was appointed to a commission in the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment (Headquarters). In early September, some newspapers printed resumés of some of the officers going to the Front. “Captain H. J. M’Lean, of the New Zealand Medical Corps, who is accompanying the Expedition, being now in camp at Palmerston, is a son of Dr. M’Lean, who came out as surgeon on one of the earliest immigration ships to Timaru, where he settled down. Captain M’Lean was born at Timaru and was educated at the Timaru High School and at Edinburgh University. He has been in practice in Wellington for 14 years, and during that time has held honorary appointments as physician and surgeon to the Wellington Hospital and surgeon to the Children's Hospital. He joined the Wellington Bearer Corps in 1901, and later went on the Medical Reserve. He was at one time prominent in Rugby Football circles, having played at intervals for Canterbury, South Canterbury, and Wellington. He was also selected upon one occasion to play for New Zealand in Australia, but did not go.” [Evening Post, 3 September 1914; Press, 5 September 1914.]

Single and Presbyterian, Henry McLean named his younger sister as next-of-kin – Miss Agnes McLean, 14 Boulcott Street, Wellington. From 1914 at least through to the mid-1920s, Henry and his two sisters (Mary – principal of Wellington Girls’ College, Agnes – nurse) were all living at 14 Boulcott Street. Major H. J. McLean embarked with the Main Body as regimental surgeon to the Wellington Mounted Rifles, departing from Wellington on 16 October 1914. A letter was received in April 1915 from a well-known Petone Club and Wellington representative Rugby player who was then in Egypt. He commented on the sporting side of military life in the Expeditionary Force, noting that the Welington Mounted Rifles had played several games of rugby football. “To give you some idea of the sports we have amongst the officers of our regiment, let me mention some of the names: — Captain Dr. H. J. McLean, Wellington; . . . . . When I tell you that out of thirty officers in the regiment twenty-four were ready and willing to play, only duty stopped them, it will give you some idea of the keenness there is to get and keep fit, as well as the sporting spirit there is in all ranks.” A newspaper reporter chatting to Dr McLean – the doctor is an old-time Wellington representative forward - on the last Saturday of April 1916 (shortly after his return home) was told that there were some fine footballers in the Wellington Mounted Rifles that formed part of the Main Expeditionary Force.

On 25 August 1915, Major McLean, of the Wellington Mounted Rifles, was wounded. Initially, he was reported as killed in action on 29 August, but this was amended to wounded in the 174th casualty list. He had been at the Dardanelles since May. A Wellington Mounted, hearing of Dr. H. J. McLean’s wound, was quite overcome. “He is the bravest man I ever saw. He has earned the V.C. over and over again. He is in the trenches, never sparing himself, always in the thick of danger, not only attending to the wounds, but actually helping the stretcher-bearers to carry men out of danger. The chaps think there is no one like him.” Good hearing for the sisters, who, thousands of miles away, wait in their lonely home in Boulcott-street until he comes home again. [Free Lance, 17 September 1915.] McLean was sent to England, the report of 27 September recording that he had been admitted to the Endsleigh Palace Hospital in London. Surgeon-Major H. J. McLean – one of four Wellington army surgeons disabled at the same time – was safe in a London hospital. He was still in hospital (probably the Wandsworth Third London General Hospital) as of 6 October, having suffered a chest wound. Private information was received by cable on 10 December that Surgeon-Major H. J. M’Lean, of Wellington, who was wounded in action, had recovered sufficiently to leave the Endsleigh Palace Hospital. A private letter to hand from a medical friend of Major M’Lean describes the doctor’s wound as being caused by a shrapnel bullet, which lodged in the left side about three inches from the spine. The bullet was located by means of X-rays, but on expert advice it was decided not to take surgical measures to get it out. Dr. M’Lean was also suffering from acute joint rheumatism but expected to return to the front at an early date.

In late March 1916, Major H. J. McLean, of the R.A.M.C., who was for many months on active service at Gallipoli, cabled to his sister, Miss McLean, principal of the Wellington Girls’ College, that he was leaving by the “Maheno”. After receiving a bullet wound in the shoulder, which penetrated to the lung, he was removed to a hospital ship and taken to the “Blue Sisters” Hospital in Malta, where he received excellent nursing. While there he had an interview with Lord Methuen. Later on, Major McLean was taken to England suffering from joint rheumatism, which so crippled him that he was obliged to use crutches. He was first at Endsleigh Palace, and afterwards at Buxton Hydro for treatment, and was sufficiently recovered to walk without help. His diary was secured by his orderly the day he was wounded, and it was forwarded to New Zealand in the care of the captain of one of the liners and safely received by his relatives. The hospital ship “Maheno” with her complement of sick, wounded and convalescent arrived at Wellington on 13 April. On arrival home, Dr. H. J. McLean was met by a great collection of friends, who went out on a tug and shouted, “We want Mac.” Later two happy sisters accompanied him to the Town Hall. He went south that night to see his invalid mother. “Returned Anzacs speak very highly of this most popular medico major.” After the long wait at the Town Hall on the afternoon of 13 April for the “Maheno” returned soldiers, those whose patience lasted out were rewarded with quite the most pleasant reception that has yet taken place. The speeches were few, to the point, and short, much that was kind and appreciative being expressed in a few words. Some of the men who were welcomed were from the Main Body, and showed considerable signs of strain, but all seemed to have enjoyed the voyage, and felt wonderfully better for it. Some said they felt well enough to go back at once, and when asked if they had not already “done their bit,” said they felt so far off here from everything interesting, and that they would rather go back and help their mates whom they had left behind. Among those who returned was Major McLean, N.Z.M.C, who came to the hall with his sisters Misses M. and A. McLean, looking wonderfully well considering all he had gone through, and receiving greetings from many friends.

Major McLean returned to Wellington from Rotorua on 25 May 1916. Had he gone there for treatment? Major H. J. McLean was one to return to the front, departing on 26 July 1916 with the New Zealand Medical Corps of the 15th Reinforcements. Restored to Strength with seniority, with the New Zealand Medical Corps on 7 October 1916, he marched out from Sling to France on 10 October and was temporarily attached to No. 1 Field Ambulance in France a week later. He was then detailed to No. 3 NZ Field Ambulance on 23 October. Having joined No. 2 Field Ambulance on 25 October and assumed Temporary Command on 9 November, he relinquished duties with No. 2 NZ Field Ambulance, on 14 December, on return to Unit of Lieutenant Colonel Murray. Major McLean was given a temporary appointment as Commander of No. 2 Field Ambulance on 31 December 1916. Having gone to Rest … from the Field Ambulance on 3 January 1917, he returned and was appointed temporarily Officer Commanding No. 2 Field Ambulance on 5 January. As of 31 March 1917, Major H. J. McLean, M.D., F.R.C.S. was to be Lieutenant-Colonel with the NZ Medical Corps, in command of No. 4 NZ Field Ambulance. From 5 January 1917 to 8 April 1917, Major McLean was acting officer in command of No. 2 NZ Field Ambulance. On 20 April 1917, Lieutenant-Colonel McLean relinquished the appointment of Officer Commanding No. 2 NZ Field Ambulance and departed for England. Marching in from Headquarters in London for the 4th Field Ambulance on 28 April 1917, he was taken on Strength from the New Zealand Reserve Group at Sling and posted to the 4th Field Ambulance at Blackpool. On 29 May 1917 he marched out from Codford and proceeded overseas.

Having been attached to the Corps Reinforcement Camp at Rouen on 8 February 1918, Lieut.-Colonel H. J. McLean, M.D., F.R.C.S., was transferred from Command of the NZ Entrenching Group Field Ambulance to Command of No. 3 NZ General Hospital (Codford) a month later. He was detached to England on duty on 15 March and marched into No. 3 NZ General Hospital at Codford on 2 April. He was in charge of the sports held at the hospital in July 1918. He then proceeded overseas and was struck off Strength on 12 November 1918, transferring from the Command of No. 3 NZ General Hospital to the Command of No. 3 NZ Field Ambulance, his appointment there effective from 14 November. On 22 February 1919, Lieutenant-Colonel McLean was attached to Headquarters of the New Zealand Division (Medical Corps). From 26 February 1919 to 25 March, he performed the duties of Assistant Director of Medical Services. He may have returned to his Unit in France. Formerly in charge of field ambulances in France and Germany, and at Codford Hospital in England, and appointed A.D.M.S. [Assistant Director of Medical Services] during the demobilisation of our troops in Germany, Lieutenant-Colonel H. J. McLean, C.B.E., Wellington, returned to New Zealand for demobilization as the principal medical officer on the “Maunganui” (Returning Draft No. 259) which left Great Britain on 17 May 1919 and reached Dunedin on 23 June 1919. The next day he returned to Wellington.

Lieutenant-Colonel H. J. McLean was specially mentioned in despatches on 8 November 1918 by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief of the British Armies in France, for distinguished and gallant service and devotion to duty during the period 25.2.1918 to midnight 16/17 September 1918. Colonel H. J. McLean, of the New Zealand Medical Corps, who was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in January 1919 in London for his war service with the Medical Corps, was brought up in Timaru, where his father (Dr McLean) lived for many years and was well-known. After receiving his education in the South Island, he entered one of the banks, but studying medicine later, he passed all the examinations with credit. When the war broke out, he gave up his practice in Wellington and left for the front with an early reinforcement. He did excellent work in Gallipoli and Egypt before going to Europe and was very popular with all ranks. In former years he was a member of the Wellington Football Club’s first fifteen, and he also took a great interest in yachting. Miss McLean, principal of Wellington Girls’ College, and Nurse Agnes McLean, are his sisters.

In July 1919, Lieutenant-Colonel H. J. McLean, of Wellington, took over control of the Featherston military hospital. There had been disclosures in regard to the treatment of tubercular and other patients at the Featherston Military Hospital. “Colonel McLean has now been appointed officer commanding this hospital. This officer has had considerable experience, both in the field in handling men, and in commanding a hospital in England. He, therefore, is not likely to allow small matters like these to go unremedied and he has full powers to put them right.” In August 1919, in connection with the exposure made by the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association of the conditions obtaining at the Featherston Military Hospital, a patient wrote to the association thanking it for its efforts on behalf of the men, adding “This place has been thoroughly cleaned up. and I have no doubt that the officer commanding, Lieutenant-Colonel McLean, intends to make it what it never was before —a hospital. . . . . .” Struck off the strength of the NZ Expeditionary Force and discharged on 1 February 1920, he was posted to the NZ Army Medical Department. He had served for over five years, more than four of those overseas – at Gallipoli, in Egypt and in Western Europe, and was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

A succinct resumé of the war service of Henry John McLean was provided in Hawke’s Bay newspapers in January 1920 when his visit to his brother Duncan was reported. Duncan McLean had turned to farming in the early 1900s, initially at Hook, in South Canterbury, then moving to the North Island a few years later. “Colonel H. J. McLean has been on a short visit to Mr. D. McLean, of Waipawa. The Colonel, who is assistant director of the New Zealand Medical Service, joined up with the Main Body and saw service with the New Zealand Field Ambulance at Gallipoli, where he was wounded, after which he came home to recuperate. He subsequently went to France in charge of the 3rd. Field Ambulance and was in the thick of operations at Armentieres and Passchendale. He was then appointed to take charge of the Codford Hospital, but after six months took to the field again, so anxious was he for more active service. Colonel McLean was recently in charge of the Featherston Military Hospital.”

At the 49th annual meeting of the Wellington Football Club, held in March 1919, Dr H. J. McLean had been elected a vice-president. He was one of 279 members of the club who had served with the colours, a number of them earning distinction in the field. At the 50th jubilee of the Wellington Football Club in July 1920, Dr McLean (“a fine forward in his day”) responded to the toast of the club, saying that his association with the club began in 1892, and the club had always had a good reputation. Dr McLean and his sisters, the Misses McLean, were a close-knit trio. Henry supported his sister Mary at Wellington Girls’ College functions. All three were guests of Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Viscountess Jellicoe at a garden party at Government House in November 1920. On 21 December they left on a visit to Picton where one of their half-brothers lived. They were guests again at a Vice-Regal garden party in January 1929. In February 1929, Dr McLean and the Misses McLean were present when their Excellencies the Governor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson held a reception at Government House for the delegates and visitors to the British Medical Association Conference in Wellington. Throughout 1921 and 1922, Dr McLean lectured on “Physical Exercises” and “Physical Culture”. While he advocated that both sexes should indulge in some games and exercises, he did not believe in nay kind of football for girls. In 1922 he was acting medical officer for the Wellington Rugby Union.

For a meeting in November 1921 at the Wellington Town Hall in connection with the National Memorial Military Chapel, Dr McLean kindly presented the Red Cross flag which flew at Mulheim with the army of occupation. He had a close association with the Red Cross. At the July 1926 meeting of the Wellington Centre Executive of the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross Society, he presented a splendid report of Red Cross activities at Pukeora, which had been built in 1918 as a sanatorium to care for soldiers returning from war with respiratory illnesses and soon after became a place of treatment of tuberculosis for the general public. For some years, Dr McLean was the Port Health Officer, quite a busy position involving inspection of all arrivals in anchorage or in port, reporting on the health of immigrants, and on malarial fever, influenza and other sickness and injuries on board.

Dr McLean attended the annual ball of the United Services Officers’ Club in June 1928. “There is no doubt that brightly-coloured army uniforms, and the handsome, but quieter-coloured ones that belong to the senior service, make for excellent effect in a ballroom, and add rather than detract from, the gay frocks of the lady guests.” IN ARDUIS, FIDELIS. “In proud Memory of the Officers and Men of the N.Z. Medical Corps who were trained on these grounds 1914-1918, and who sacrificed their lives for the Empire.” This is the inscription on a unique memorial which was unveiled and dedicated at the Awapuni racecourse at the beginning of December 1929. Among the surviving officers “whose names are available, and to whom invitations to be present have been extended” was Lieutenant-Colonel H. J. McLean, C.B.E. (Wellington). “Four thousand members of the New Zealand Medical Corps who participated in the Great War were trained at Awapuni which was a remarkable camp, noted for its cleanliness and discipline.”

Henry John McLean died at Rotorua suddenly on 21 May 1931, a few days before his 63rd birthday. After a service at his late residence (56 Mulgrave Street, Wellington), which he had shared with his sisters Mary and Agnes, he was buried at Karori Cemetery, Wellington. His headstone, in the form of a Celtic Cross, is inscribed in great detail – In loving memory of Henry John McLean, C.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.S. Son of Duncan McLean M.D. Timaru. Born May 27, 1868 – Died May 21, 1931. Lieut-Col. N.Z.M.C. in Great War. Serving in Gallipoli (seriously wounded), in France and with Army of Occupation in Germany. We fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, sleep to wake. Henry had taken up golf in the mid-1920s, competing regularly and becoming well-known at the sport. He was on holiday at Rotorua, intending to play golf for a fortnight. Playing with a Wellington friend on the second day, he got bunkered and the effort to play out was too much, it seems, as he collapsed as he was about to take his putt. Although medical assistance was quickly at hand, he died almost immediately, having suffered a heart attack. He was accorded a military funeral, his coffin carried on a gun carriage drawn by five horses from the New Zealand Garrison Artillery and the firing party comprising non-commissioned officers of the permanent staff of the New Zealand Defence Force. There was a large attendance at the funeral, including several leading members of the medical profession and prominent businessmen. The chief mourners were Mr. Duncan McLean, of Waipawa (brother); Misses Mary and Agnes McLean (sisters), Mr. D. McLean, Junr. (nephew), and Miss Mary McLean, Junr., Messrs. C. and H. Healy (half-brothers), and Mr. Brabazon Ellis, of Christchurch (brother-in-law). The pall-bearers were Sir Donald McGavin, Drs. F. T. Bowerbank and Robert Stout, and Messrs. Arthur Seed, Brabazon Ellis and H. and E. Healy. Reference to the sudden death at Rotorua of Dr. H. J. McLean was made by the chairman at the meeting of the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union on 2 June 1931. “The late Dr. McLean was one of our old players and one of our old medical officers. He represented the union in 1892 and in 1893, and always took a very keen interest in Rugby.” A vote of sympathy was passed, members standing in silence.

The late Dr. McLean, who was a son of Duncan McLean, M.D., was born in Timaru in 1868. He received his secondary education at the Timaru High School, and on leaving school entered the service of the Bank of New South Wales, Wellington. He did not follow banking for long, however, and went to study medicine at Edinburgh University, where he graduated M. B., Ch.B., in 1900. He practised in Wellington until 1914, when he went to the war with the Main Body of the Expeditionary Force with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He served in the war with the New Zealand Forces from 1914 to 1919, holding responsible military positions in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France, and at the conclusion of the war he went to Germany with the Army of Occupation. At Gallipoli he had been severely wounded. In fact, the bullet was located but could not be extracted. In 1918 he was mentioned in dispatches by Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig “for gallant and distinguished services in the field.” These services were further recognised by his being given the decoration of C.B.E. in 1919. After his return to New Zealand, he settled back in Wellington and was appointed Assistant Director of Medical Services. In about 1925 he was appointed Port Health Officer for Wellington, a position which he held up to the time of his death. Dr. McLean took a keen interest in various sports, and was well-known as a prominent footballer, both in Timaru and Wellington, being once selected as an “All Black” representative, but was unable to obtain leave to go to England.

Henry John McLean bequeathed to his sisters Mary and Agnes all motorcars, plate, linen, books, jewellery, etc., owned by him at his death. He made monetary bequests to his brother Duncan, two half-brothers and two half-sisters, to his niece Mary (daughter of his brother Duncan) His dwellinghouse and land at 56 Mulgrave Street, Wellington, were to be held in trust for his sisters during their lifetimes. They were also to benefit from monetary trusts. There was also provision for the children of a half-brother, the children of his brother Duncan, and the children of a half-sister. Mrs Anne Herival Healey (formerly Mrs McLean) died on 4 April 1917 at Christchurch where she had been living from about 1904 with her son Cecil and daughter Theresa. Cecil Montague Simmons Healey was in Picton in 1917, married with two children, when he was listed on the Reserve Rolls, while Harold Herival Healey was a farmer in Wellsford. Harold did attest but served in New Zealand only after contracting influenza at Featherston. With the death of John Thomas Healey at Timaru in 1891, Anne had been widowed for a second time. Henry John McLean (Harry) was in France when his mother died. He himself left a brother (Duncan) and two sisters (Mary and Agnes), as well as three half-brothers and two half-sisters. His elder brother, Duncan Paterson McLean, died in August 1936 and was buried at Karori; he was a well-known farmer of Waipawa, his daughter married in England, one of his sons a banker in Dunedin and the other a doctor in England. Harry’s sister, Mary Jane McLean, M.A., the eldest of the family, was the principal of the Timaru Girls’ High School until she was appointed the principal of Wellington Girls’ College in 1900, leading the school with distinction for twenty-five years and being honoured with the C.B.E. in 1928. Agnes Ann McLean, the youngest of the family, was a nurse, who was appointed matron in the Department of Immigration in 1913. This position covered all ports of arrival and came with considerable responsibility. Agnes died in July 1945, and was cremated, her ashes being interred at Karori with Henry; Mary died in February 1949 and was buried at Karori with Henry. Simple plaques mark their burials.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [28 April 2015]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5544 0075219) [15 September 2016]; NZ BDM indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [28 April 2025]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [28 April 2015]; Karori Cemetery headstone inscription (Wellington branch NZSG) [28 April 2015]; Karori Cemetery headstone image (Find A Grave) [07 May 2025], Karori Cemetery burial records (Wellington City Council) [11 May 2025]; Timaru Herald, 22 December 1876, 15 December 1877, 21 December 1878, 21 March 1879, 18 March 1880, 22 December 1880, 7 April 1881, 22 December 1882, 15 March 1883, 5 April 1883, 8 December 1883, 6 & 16 December 1884, 12 December 1885 [x 2], 15 May 1897, 3 June 1897, 12 September 1900, 16 December 1908, 28 September 1915, 8 October 1915, 9 April 1917, 11 January 1919, 25 May 1931, Press, 1 February 1895, 18 May 1896, 15 & 27 September 1900, 1 January 1910, 26 August 1914, 5 September 1914, 15 September 1915, 30 March 1916, 15 May 1918, 10 & 11 January 1919, New Zealand Herald, 18 May 1896, 19 September 1898, 21 August 1900, 15 September 1900, 28 March 1906, 11, 22 & 27 September 1915, 4 April 1916, 15 May 1918, 11 July 1919, 23 & 25 May 1931, New Zealand Times, 14 September 1900, 31 August 1914, 29 March 1916, 1 April 1916, 9 January 1919, 14 June 1919, 11 July 1919, 10 November 1925, 15 July 1926, New Zealand Mail, 20 September 1900, Free Lance, 27 December 1902, 10 April 1915, 17 September 1915, 1 October 1915, 20 April 1916, 5 May 1916, 13 June 1917, 28 July 1920, Auckland Star, 20 December 1909, 23 May 1931, Ashburton Guardian, 13 July 1912, Dominion, 13 May 1913, 1 April 1916, 24 November 1920, 1 January 1921, 20 May 1922, 12 September 1927, 4 June 1928, 5 January 1929, 21 February 1929, 22, 23 & 25 May 1931, 8 August 1936, Evening Post, 3 September 1914, 11 December 1915, 31 March 1916, 13 & 14 April 1916, 11 April 1917, 8 January 1919, 20 March 1919, 9 April 1919, 13 & 25 June 1919, 26 July 1920, 17 August 1921, 8 November 1921, 23 November 1922, 12 April 1926, 14 July 1926, 26 April 1927, 10 March 1928, 29 June 1928, 22 & 25 May 1931, 3 June 1931, 8 August 1936, Marlborough Express, 7 October 1915, Sun, 29 July 1916, Manawatu Standard, 2 June 1919, 30 November 1929, Otago Daily Times, 14 June 1917, 24 June 1919, Otago Witness, 18 June 1919, Hastings Standard, 15 January 1920, Hawke’s Bay Tribune, 15 January 1920, 22 May 1931, Hawera Star, 22 May 1931, Waipawa Mail, 22 May 1931 (Papers Past) [28 April 2015; 23 May 2015; 14 January 2016; 10 February 2016; 17 September 2016; 17 September 2020; 22 March 2022; 07, 09, 10 & 12 May 2025]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [07 May 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• McLEAN Henry John - newspaper clippings (pdf, 220.1 KB updated 27-Jun-2025)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

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TS