General News
25 January, 2025
Veterans' Voices: Stanley Charles Arthur McLean
Stanley Charles Arthur McLean was born in Natimuk on March 26 1908.
He was the son of James and Louise Mary McLean of Natimuk and grew up to be a plumber.
Stanley was 33 years and six months old on enlistment for World War II.
Stanley first enlisted at Goroke on June 5 1941 in the Citizens Military Force (CMF) as a trooper.
His enlistment number was V20798 and his unit was the 19th Machine Gun Regiment.
Stanley enlisted the Australian Army on September 19 1941 at Royal Park, Melbourne, with service number VX63714, naming his mother Mary as his next of kin.
Stanley’s unit was the 2/6 Cavalry Commando Regiment.
Stanley was transferred from the Australian Army Ordinance Corp (AAOC) TD on October 3 1941.
He went absent without leave for a few hours and was penalised.
Stanley was detached to the 5th Army Troop Depot (Ballarat Area) on February 14 1942 as a group one plumber.
Stanley rejoined his unit from detachment on April 20 and was transferred from AAOC Bendigo on April 30, then to the 1st Motorised Division, 56 Division Workshops and later the 3rd Motor Brigade General Workshops on May 23.
He was transferred to 2 HQ Squadron on June 29, then back to 3 Motor Brigade Workshops the following day.
Stanley went absent without leave for many hours and was again penalised.
On joining his unit again on September 16 he was transferred to General Details Depot (GDD) Caulfield to 2 Independent Coy AIF on 21 September.
He was marched out to 1 Australian Commando Training Battalion, Queensland Line of Communication, on December 14.
Stanley was then marched out to 1 Australian Commando Training Battalion on February 15 1943 and then from there to 2/4 Australian Independent Coy on May 15.
On October 10 Stanley was again marched out to 1 Australian Commando Training Battalion.
Stanley spent time at 22 Australian General Hospital from December 8 1943 before being discharged and returned to his unit on December 15.
He was marched out to 10 Parachute Training Battalion on May 15 1943, then served again with 2/4 Independent Company 1 Commando Training Battalion until May 29, when he was taken on strength to 2/6 Calvary Regiment.
Having already served in the Middle East, Trooper Stanley McLean was with his squadron bound for New Guinea when he was killed during a training session in the Atherton Tablelands on September 11 1944.
The ensuing court inquiry reported that he died at Wondecla as a result of penetrating wounds to his right chest and lower body, sustained when a grenade exploded while he was attending a lecture and demonstration on Japanese equipment in unit lines.
He was on duty at the time.
The court found that there was no negligence, misconduct or failure to observe any act or regulation on Stanley's part.
The official history of the Sixth Division Cavalry Commandos, To the Green Field Beyond by Shawn O'Leary, records the circumstances of his death on page 238.
"The men were massed before four tables arranged in a straight line, which carried pistols, rifles, grenades, light machine guns, land mines, signal equipment and optical instruments.
"All detonating specimens had supposedly been rendered safe.
"After an hour and a half of instruction and discussion, the troops were invited to examine and handle the weapons.
"In the course of an examination a hollow-charged rifle grenade fell from a table and exploded among the 100 men who were congregated.
"Trooper SCA McLean was killed and 55 others wounded."
Stanley was 36 years of age when he died.
He was buried in the Atherton War Cemetery in grave BB 13.
He is honoured on panel 13 in the commemorative area at the Australian War Memorial, on the Australian Commando Memorial, on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, on the Eltham War Memorial and on the Shire of Eltham Tower of Remembrance in Kangaroo Ground.
With thanks: Sally Bertram, RSL Military History Library. Contact Sally at sj.bertram@hotmail.com or call 0409 351 940.