Major Donald Frederick Durant Maclean

[Eastindia]

below are the details which I have collated for this chap. He died presumably of natural causes at home in 1917 aged 65. He held the rank of temporary or honorary Major. He was involved with various militia from the  age of 18 and seems to have chopped and changed. Meanwhile it would appear he lived a normal civilian life and after 1885 lived on private means though he had only a nominal amount when he died. He was though serving in a regiment when he died and his estate received £236 as pay due. But what was he doing? A desk job somewhere? I can no gazette announcement for him after 1914. I presume that because he was in service when he died is why he is Remembered by CWGC

any info or comment much appreciated 
 

Major Donald Frederick Durant Maclean 

5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers (Militia) 

Lastly Reserve Battalion,  Royal Fusiliers  (City of London) Regiment.

He was born 15th October 1852 at 57 Wimpole Street, London and was the son of John George and Henrietta née Wilton. His father was a general merchant.

He was commissioned Ensign, 2nd London Volunteer Corps 1870; Lieutenant 1st Royal East Middlesex; Captain 1875; transferred to 3rd Battalion, York and Lancaster Infantry Militia Captain and Honorary Major 1886; retired 1899; Honorary Major 5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers 1914.

In 1885 he and Andrew Maris dissolved their partnership as commodity traders.

He married Rhoda Mary Georgina née Trower (1856-1934) 31st May 1881 in St. Peter’s Church, Cranley Gardens, London and was the father of Gladys

He died 10th December 1917, aged 65, at St. Leonard’s Dale Cottage, Clewer, Berkshire. He left £354.

He is remembered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, though his gravestone was provided by his family

[Matlock1418]

6 minutes ago, Eastindia said:

I can no gazette announcement for him after 1914.

A couple of post-1914 LG entries I think:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29594/supplement/5171

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29841/supplement/11685 

M

[Eastindia]

Thank you That’s a bit more of the jigsaw puzzle done, but what I wonder was he actually doing?

[Matlock1418]

From WFA/Fold3 pension index card - Widow claimed a pension [beyond his name, rank of Major and R. Fus no other details]

M

[charlie962]

Middlesex Chronicle 12/9/14 courtesy Findmypast newspapers 

[PRC]

December 1917 British Army Monthly List.

2nd in Command of 107th Training Reserve Battalion from 1st September 1916. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103989692

Prior to the creation of the Training Reserve on that date, that unit was 31st (Reserve) Bn, the Royal Fusiliers. A the time of creation 107th TR Battalion and the Brigade it was part of were based in Edinburgh.
In May 1917 it was renamed 265th Graduated Battalion, Training Reserve. https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/training-reserve/
In October 1917 it was renamed the 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and was stationed at Ipswich. https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/royal-fusiliers-city-of-london-regiment/

The entry for the 107th Training Reserve Battalion in the December 1917 Monthly list looks like the full officer establishment rather than officers who were in hospital \ on long term sick leave, etc,  so I suspect a decision had been taken not to update the unit names.

Cheers,
Peter

[charlie962]

Army List Feb 1915 confirms* that Major D Maclean in the newspaper clip above is Major DFD Maclean.

Courtesy The Genealogist

Edited 7 September by charlie962
*correct text

[Eastindia]

Thank you so much to you all.  That has all been most helpful. My own search of FMP newspapers did not reveal that gem. 
your interest and assistance is greatly appreciated