Source: Soldier in 18th Battalion Association Memory relating a “Jimmy McLellan“.
Family Search: Private James McLennan was born on 1 May 1879, in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom as the son of McLennan. He immigrated to Canada in 1813 and lived in Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada in 1921. He registered for military service in 1914. In 1914, at the age of 35, his occupation is listed as ship steward. He died on 31 March 1937, in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States, at the age of 57, and was buried in Windsor Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada.
This 36-year old sailor enlisted with the 18th Battalion on November 3, 1914. He went overseas with the 18th Battalion late April 1915, arriving for active duty on the Continent on September 15, 1915.
His service was marked with health issues relating to his age and due to action. He had several transgressions relating to military discipline and was punished for them.
He was attached to No. 4 Trench Mortar Company on April 14, 1916, and on January 12, 1917, suffered a dislocated elbow and contusions. He was sent to Dublin and after treatment SOS to the Western Ontario Regimental Depot. His health did not improve and he was returned to Canada for discharge at London, Ontario on January 14, 1918.
18th Battalion Association[i]
Windsor and Detroit Branch
*MEMORIES[ii]*
Some time ago, we read of the passing of an 82 year old woman named Lahoud. We remembered her as the operator of a large rooming house at the corner of Windsor Avenue and Chatham Street during the first war.
Among her roomers were Andy Galbraith, Jock Campbell Durwood, who were all with the First Division, and Jimmy McLelland [McLellan] who was with the Eighteenth. At that time, she was a tough old dame. She had to be to handle that crowd.
Jimmy McLelland was born in Scotland and had only been in the United States for a few years when war was declared. He later came over to Windsor to enlist. Jimmy was in his mid-thirties and was articulate and witty. He was also fond of his Johnny Walker, and after we were nicely settled in London, he soon found out there was a guard room. When we arrived in England, he did much better as he was too tired to walk to Hythe after the strenuous training. Jimmy was wounded late in 1916. It was after the Somme. To hear Jimmy tell it, when he was hit on the arm, he thought he had a nice little blighty. It turned out to be more serious as he lost the partial use of his arm.
After being hospitalized in England, Jimmy returned to Canada, was discharged, and came to live in Windsor. He was always at loggerheads with the local office of the D.S.C.R.[iii] as he always claimed he was not getting a pension consistent with his wounds. He argued with Col. Casgrain[1], Dr. Crassweller[iv], and a relieving Doctor from London. The latter suggested he should go to Westminster for a thorough examination. When he got there, they put in the Dardanelles and started giving him psychiatric treatment. Jimmy returned somewhat subdued.
A few months later, he moved to Detroit and some of the fellows who met him there claimed he was working as a lookout for one of the bookies in Greektown. Jimmy later left Detroit, and several years later he returned to Windsor claiming he had been living in California. He also mentioned he had been in the movies. It appears that when they were making the picture “Calvacade” [sic] there was a mob scene at the station as the troop train was pulling out. Jimmy was one of the mob. The casting director[v] was a former British Officers who often went to the British Veterans Club in Los Angeles for extras and Jimmy was one of those selected. Several years later, Jimmy had a heart attack and passed away, the only mourners at his funeral service being some former members of the Battalion. Jimmy lived the kind of life he liked and never tried to change or alter it. It was a lonesome life as he never married. With all his failings, Jimmy was still a nice chap and absolutely honest. He was also quietly proud of his service with the 18th Battalion.
Veteran to Be Interred Here
James McLennan Moved To Detroit 15 Years Ago From Windsor
Funeral services will be conducted in Windsor for James McLennan, former resident of this city and a Canadian Great War veteran, who died Wednesday in the Herman Kiefer Hospital, Detroit.
Services will be conducted at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon at the Chapen Funeral Home, 659 Victoria avenue. Burial will be in Windsor Grove Cemetery.
Mr. McLennan enlisted in 1914 with the 18th Battalion at London, Ont. He served with the regiment overseas and did not receive his discharge until 1918. He came to Windsor and lived here prior to going to Detroit 15 years ago.
The Windsor Star
Fri, Apr 02, 1937 ·Page 5.
Fri, Apr 02, 1937 ·Page 5.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 