| |
|
...do YOUR families link back to first South Australian wheat growers?
Christina and Donald McLEAN from Scotland 1837
|
 |
|
 1889 - 1986 (96 years)
-
| Name |
Donald MCLEAN [1] |
| Born |
18 Dec 1889 |
Narrabeen NSW  [1] |
| Gender |
Male |
| Biography Notes |
Donald McLean was the eldest son of Donald (the Rover) McLean & Mary, nee Hillary.
Born 18/12/1889 at Narrabeen
Contractor of Clarke St.Narrabeen.
A newspaper article of 1986 (supplied by Glad. Gardner of Meningie, S.A.) described Donald's heroism as a young man. Quoted from the "Sydney Morning Herald" dated 18/1/1907, headed - "Pioneers death (1986) recalls Heroic Rescue" lt was really in the nature of an obituary.
"A Narrabeen man who gained fame for a dramatic surf rescue at Narrabeen in 1907 and remained a respected local identity died last week at the age of 97. Donald McLean described himself as an "all rounder" as far as hard manual labor is concerned, be it woodcutting, quarrying or road making.
Under the headline: Dangers of Surfing - Narrow Escape at Narrabeen" - On 18/1/1907 Mr McLean and another bather went to the assistance of John Johnstone, a young man who was caught in an undertow. After a short struggle they brought him ashore, then Mr McLean went to help his younger brother who had tried to throw out a lifeline and had gotten into trouble himself.
Then Donald McLean had to go back to rescue Mr Johnstone again after he once again rushed into the sun excited by his own rescue and no doubt intent on helping Mr McLean to rescue his 10 year old brother Hugh. None of the rescuers had any training in either surf or aid relating to the surf. A 1973 Manly "Daily" historical feature said "Don smiled as he recalled them upending the half drowned Johnstone by the legs and pumping his legs to expel any water, after which they poured brandy down his throat!"
For his action in rescuing Johnstone, Donald McLean was recommended by the local progress society for recognition by the Shipwreck Society's Certificate and Bronze Medallion.
The McLean family has been part and parcel of Narrabeen for about 103 years. Donald McLean was born at Narrabeen in 1889, one of 14 children. He was reported recalling the time when Narrabeen extended from Mona Vale to Stoney Ridge, south ofthe present suburb of Dee Why. As a lad, Donald would earn 5 shillings (50c.) per head rowing visitors around the Lakes, which, he said, were much more extensive and beautiful than today and abounded with large fish. For many years he worked on the local roads for the Warringah Shire Council, later becoming a ganger. He was pan of Narrabeen history who will be remembered with admiration."
Marriage: to Pearl Kearns (or perhaps spelt Cairns). No dates available. [1] |
| Military Service |
16 Oct 1916 |
Egypt [2, 3] |
| He might have served in Egypt in the WW1 because there is a photo which is believed to be of this Donald with his cousin Otto Hughes. |
| Died |
14 Jul 1986 [4, 5] |
| Person ID |
I-2516 |
Christina and Donald McLean | Ewen (Hugh the elder) McLean's descendants |
| Last Modified |
28 Nov 2020 |
-
-
| Sources |
- [S-3] BRB 'Donald & Christina McLean & Their Descendants', 1995 copies available, Copies of the BRB available Strathalbyn National Trust Museum & Library, several libraries around Australia including State Library SA, and Western Australian Genealogical Society Bayswater WA Request assistance for locating a copy through 'Contact us' on this website. .
- [S-46] FS Tom Hughes - ID 2720 - evidence pending.
Copies of correspondence from this descendant is held in the records of the McLean Committee. The records can be accessed by requests via 'Contact us' on the home page of this website or via the Strathalbyn National Trust. The particular item of correspondence is filed under the source?s name.
- [S-117] National Archive of Australia Military Records, naa.gov.au, 9 Jan 2021 Researcher Lorna Mclean.
- [S-117] National Archive of Australia Military Records, naa.gov.au, 9 Jan 2021 Researcher Lorna Mclean.
on front page in bright red ink states date of death. Seemingly unrelated since the date is 1989, however front right corner is clearly his death date. No location is noted.
- [S-106] BDM NSW, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au, 9 Jan 2021 Researcher Lorna Mclean.
MCLEAN DONALD RegNo.16645/ DOD:1986 FATHER:DONALD MCLEAN, MOTHER:MARY
|
|
|
|
