The Grangemouth branch of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders work tirelessly in their community to help veterans and veteran widows . They do not get public funds and I want to be able to give back after their help to my grandfather .

Piper James McLean 2979505

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 2nd Battalion

James McLean (Known as John in military records) born on 28th June 1915, to parents James and Allison in Rutherglen, Glasgow, enlisted to military service on January 29th 1934. Piper McLean completed his basic training in Stirling, Scotland. Upon completion he was deployed on HMT Dorsetshire, disembarking in Karachi, Pakistan on June 11th 1935 where James is noted as an active piper in the Order of Battle. Throughout his first three years of service Piper James McLean was awarded the 1936 Indian General Service medal and the 1936/37 Northwest Frontier Clasp.

On August 8th 1939, Piper James McLean and others of D company of the 2nd Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were deployed to Malaya under Lieutenant Colonel Ian Stewart. It has been well documented Lt Col Stewart tactfully and meticulously prepared his troops for the harsh conditions the Far East presented. The company merged with the 12th Infantry Brigade, known as the Jungle Beasts. However, the approaching Japanese troops from the South East coast in December 1941, resulted in the retreating back of the 2nd Battalion to Singapore.

Throughout the night of January 31st and the day of February 1st 1942, 30,000 British and Commonwealth troops were withdrawn across the Johore Causeway to Singapore Island, without casualties or fatalities. At 7:30am two pipers, Piper James McLean and Piper Charles ‘Boy’ Stewart demonstrated the valiant calmness and stoic courage of the Argylls and Sutherland Highlanders, as both pipers escorted the 2/26th Australian Battalion, followed by the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders across the Causeway. Ensuring the safe passage Lt Col Stewart initiated the 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders crossing of the Johore - Singapore Causeway. Once again Pipers McLean and Stewart led the troops in open order to ‘ A Hundred Pipers’ and ‘Hielan Laddie’ the regimental march. Lt Col Stewart, the last to cross the Causeway prior to decimating a 20 yard gap at 8:15am, stated history would tell of the Argylls being the last Battalion over the Causeway following the successful withdrawal operation to the tune of its pipers. Piper James McLean played a pivotal role, alongside his comrades, and now his history is being written.

Subsequent to the British surrender of Singapore to the Japanese Empire on February 15th 1942, more than 75,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers became Japanese Prisoners of War (POW). Piper James McLean was captured on this day. Detained in the Changi Barracks in Singapore between 17th February and 1st October 1942, prior to his transportation to Chungkai Barracks, Thailand. Piper McLean was detained in Chungkai, working on the Burma Railway, commonly known as the Death Railway, due the abhorrent conditions POW’s were forced to live and work under and the significant number of POW fatalities. During an almost two year period, Piper McLean and other prisoners of war, endured a limited rationing of rice, no medical attention, extreme work conditions and appalling living facilities. Upon the completion of the Railway, on June 9th 1944, The prisoners of war were transported to the Japanese coal mines as slave labourers.

Transport consisted of excessively overcrowded and squalid ships, deemed ‘Hell Ships”. Denying prisoners of light, space, bathroom facilities, food, fatally also, the denial of air and water. In addition to the unbearable conditions of the hell ships, prisoners were subjected to beatings and indiscriminate firing into the holds. Nonetheless, the most significant cause of POW fatalities came from US and Allied ‘Friendly Fire’. Piper McLean was initially transported on the Hofuku Maru (Tofuku Maru) on July 4th 1944. The ship accompanied a convoy of 9 other hell ships bound for Japan in Manila, US forces attacked the convoy and subsequently, all ten ships were sunk resulting in the death of 997. Piper James McLean survived. Alongside other survivors, James was taken to Cabanatuan Camp, Philippines under Japanese forces. He was boarded on the Oryoko Maru on October 13th, again bound for Japan. However, just two days later the US Navy conducted another attack and the Oryoko Maru sunk, more POW’s were killed, others swam to shore. Piper James McLean survived. On December 27th Piper McLean, and the few remaining British prisoners of war remaining were escorted on the Enoura Maru stationed in the Phillipines. The voyage on the Enoura Maru stopped in Taiwan, where on January 9th 1945, US forces deployed an attack on Japanese ships. The Enoura Maru sustained significant damage in the Taiwan harbour and further prisoners of war died in the attack. Piper James McLean survived. Placed on a smaller convoy, Piper McLean arrived in Moji, Japan on January 29th 1945.

Piper James McLean arrived at Fukuoka 17B on February 11th. Deemed the ‘Nightmare POW Camp’, the prisoners were coerced to work in the Mitsui coal mines. With

living conditions similar to those experienced in the hell ships, the men endured a stark contrast from the previous tropical climate to harsh wintery elements, severe restriction of bland and non-nutritional food, diseases, torture techniques, sleeping on hard surfaces for only limited periods of time, due to long and laborious work within the mines without safety equipment or protective apparel, miles of walking to and from the mines, the excessive enforcement of the strict rules and consistent air bombings raids, all of which undoubtedly contributed their state of anxiety and ailing physical health. Some succumbed to malnutrition, others the lack of medical treatment, whilst for some it was the brutality and excruciating torture by the Japanese troops. Piper James McLean survived. On September 15th 1945, Piper James McLean of the 2nd Battalion of the Argylls and Sutherland Highlanders was liberated.

On the 27h September, James and other liberated POW’s embarked on their journey home, sailing from Manila they arrived in San Francisco on October 15th to receive necessary medical treatment and to begin the process of refeeding in order to combat the severe malnutrition. Piper James McLean finally returned home on January 4th 1946.

Following the turmoil Piper McLean experienced as a Far East Prisoner of War, he met and married Mary McCuaig Durnan on June 28th 1946. The following summer they welcomed their daughter Mary McCuaig McLean. Despite such unimaginable experiences James’ reintroduction to liberated life was a contrast comprising of the joy of a new wife and baby. Piper McLean remained in the military through a transfer to the Highland Brigade, where he served until 1960. However, following the breakdown of the marriage almost a decade later, little is known about his life from this period until his death in 1984. As a family we knew of his military service and status as a FEPOW, although this was extent of our knowledge. It was not until the passing of his daughter Mary in December 2021, that his granddaughter Serena Gear began the extensive research into his heroic and harrowing history. She discovered that James had relocated to Crawley, Sussex and unfortunately passed in solitude, subsequently he was buried in an unmarked communal grave by authorities in Crawley. This information understandably caused upset to the family and the process to honour Piper James McLean began.

Crawley Borough Council were contacted initially to request a headstone be placed in recognition of the man who laid unacknowledged for almost 40 years. The request however was denied. Subsequently an email was sent to MP’s in Crawley and Glasgow, although it was the response from the Veterans Policy Officer within the Scottish Government that set in motion a series of emails to officials around England and Scotland, including Whitehall and Captain Richard Moore of Civil Engagement. Captain Moore contacted Crawley Council, who reversed the previous decision. As such, Serena began a fundraising campaign. Despite contacting numerous military and veteran related charities, the pledge for a small donation was declined. Throughout the fundraising attempts Serena shared information regarding Piper James McLean’s story, which was seen by Lynn Connely who kindly requested to share with the Grangemouth Regimental Association Branch. Chairman John Graham made contact and has spearheaded this memorial and supported the family in the endeavour to honour a deserving James McLean. There is no appreciation great enough to express the contribution of Mr Graham, we will be eternally grateful for his involvement. In addition, Denise Reekie from SSAFA has coordinated with Crawley Borough Council and officials within the Crawley district. Moreover, impressively Mrs Reekie secured an outstanding £750 donated from the Argyll’s and Sutherland Highlanders Association. For which the family is exceptionally grateful for such a generous donation. To then receive an equally appreciated and generous donation of £256 from the Grangemouth Brach of the Argylls and Sutherland Highlanders thanks to Mr Graham and it’s members. As a family we are eternally grateful to all those who have contributed and donated towards the memorial of Piper James McLean, whilst we may not have met him personally, he is a cherished member of our family, whose history brings us such immense pride and sorrow. It has become evident from the generosity of the Argylls and Sutherland Highlanders, that he is also a respected member of the military family also.

On April 17th 2023 at 11am Piper James McLean was honoured in a memorial encompassing his military service and Scottish heritage. Attending the service wiere veterans from the Argylls and Sutherland Highlanders, members of the Grangemouth Regimental Association Branch, members of the Royal British Legion, veterans in Crawley, Henry Smith the MP for Crawley, the Mayor of Crawley, members from Crawley Borough Council and family of Piper James McLean. Additionally, two Standard Bearers, a Piper and a Bugler also were attendance. A military Padre gave a blessing to the headstone. The service wasbe ledand followed by the piping of the same music played by Piper McLean as he and Piper Stewart crossed the Johore - Singapore Causeway.

Piper James McLean embodied what it is to be an Argyll and Sutherland Highlander. His undeniable strength, courage, composure, perseverance, fortitude, commitment to service and tenacity to survive, are without doubt characteristics that aided his endurance in the most incomprehensible experiences. To withstand the arduous impacts of the war, the bravery to pipe across the Causeway, be captured and survive as a FEPOW, and to pursue further service in the military is admirable. After 39 years in an unmarked communal grave, Piper James McLean will soon rest in a grave which recognises his exceptional service and for his extraordinary story be honoured.

Ne Obliviscaris, Sans Peur