Lt Col Bartlett McLennan was killed in action on this day in 1918
On 3 August 1918, the commanding officer of the 42nd Battalion, CEF, Lt Col Bartlett McLennan, was killed in action.
The battalion war diary records the following: His death is an irreparable loss, not only to the Battalion, which he loved, and for which he rendered such brilliant and devoted service, but also to the Brigade and Division. All ranks who had the privilege of serving under his command had learned to love him as a friend and counsellor, and to admire him as a brilliant and gallant soldier and gentleman.
Bartlett took command of the 42nd Battalion on 6 April 1917. Born on 10 November 1868, McLennan was a graduate of the Royal Military College and president of the Montreal Transportation Company. He advanced philanthropic initiatives in the city and promoted amateur sports as a means of social progress. An enthusiastic sportsman, McLennan was an accomplished equestrian, hunter and polo player.
He enlisted as a junior major with the 42nd in May 1915. When the battalion deployed to France in October 1915, he served as second-in-command. After suffering serious injuries due to his horse falling on him, McLennan was invalided to England in July 1916. He returned just before the battle of Vimy Ridge to take command of the 42nd.
McLennan continued to lead his men over the next sixteen months and received the Distinguished Service Order in June 1917 in recognition of outstanding services in the engagement of 2-5 June 1916, near Ypres.
He was killed on 3 August 1918 while on a reconnaissance mission in a forward area, being fatally wounded when struck by an enemy shell. The next day, battalion officers held a funeral for their fallen commander at Longueau Cemetery. The Commander of the Canadian Corps, General Arthur Currie, attended the service. He said: “He was a fine gentleman, and one of the best officers I had. It was typical of him that his last words were ‘thank you’ to the one who gave him a drink of water as he lay wounded.”
A stained glass window was erected at Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul (the Regimental Church), Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, QC. This memorial is dedicated the 42nd BN, RHC. It was erected by the McLellan family and the Regiment. It was unveiled on 13 November, 1921 by General Currie, the former Canadian Corps Commander.
