| Regimental number | 794 |
| Place of birth | Dromana, Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Striker |
| Address | Dromana, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Height | 5' 4" |
| Weight | 150 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, J McLear, Dromana, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 23rd Battalion, D Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/40/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 59th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 17), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 168 |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 3887 Pte James McLEAR, 21st Bn, returned to Australia, 31 October 1917. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Alendria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 30 August 1915. Admitted to 13th Casualty Clearing Station, 17 September1915 (diarrhoea); transferred by HS 'Maheno' to Malta, 23 September 1915; admitted to Military Hosital Floriana, 26 September 1915; transferred to St Barnabas Hospital, Ghain Tuffieha (date not recorded); to HT 'Bohemia', and disembarked Alexandria, 19 April 1916. Taken on strength, 59th Bn, Duntroon Plateau, 20 April 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Posted missing, 19 July 1916. Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 29 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'. Handwritten note on Form B103: 'Presume buried No Man's Land approx 5J90 43 to 5K02.5.1 Sheet Hazebrouck 5A' Note, Red Cross File No 1940705, 'No trace Germany. Cert by Capt. Mills. 10.10.19.' Statement, 3887 Pte J. McLEAR, 21st Bn (patient, Cornelia Hospital, Poole, England): 'Informant states that C.H. McLean (sic) was my brother. I am sure he is dead. I have met men of his Battalion who were present when he was killed. Some of them were fellow townsmen of ours.' Second statement, 3984 Pte W. CALDWELL, D Company, 59th Bn, 15 December 1916: 'Witness says he saw the soldier killed by a shell at Fleurbaix on No Man's Land. He was practically blown to pieces.' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, McLEAR Christopher Henry
Red Cross Files Nos 1940705 & 1950205 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
