Archibald Lang McLean

Archibald Lang McLean (1885–13 May 1922)[1] was an Australian bacteriologist known for his role as chief doctor on the Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Memorial plaque
Memorial plaque at the University of Sydney, Australia, commemorating Dr Archibald Lang McLean (1885 – 1922) erected by Clan Maclean Heritage Trust in 2009.

Biography

Archie McLean was born in Balmain, New South Wales on 27 March 1885. He was the grandson of Scottish migrants from Balmaha on the east side of Loch Lomond.[2] He attended Five Dock Public School and later Fort Street High School before completing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney in 1906. He then studied medicine and graduated as a Master of Surgery in 1911.[3][4]

He was selected to join the Australasian Antarctic Expedition in 1911 as chief medical officer.[5] Part of his role on the expedition was to study the effects of the Antarctic environment on other members of the expedition by taking regular blood samples and skin swabs.[6] He took part in the Easter Sledging Journey with Cecil Madigan and Percy Correll, and after their return to main base remained there awaiting the return of Mawson, Xavier Mertz and Lieutenant Belgrave Ninnis. When Mawson returned, McLean treated his injuries and later treated wireless operator Sidney Jeffryes for symptoms of paranoia.[4] McLean Nunataks are named in his honour.[7] He arrived back in Australia in March 1914 and then travelled with Mawson to England.[3]

After the outbreak of World War I, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and served until 1916 when he was discharged for health reasons and returned to Australia.[3][4] He completed his doctorate at the University of Sydney before joining the First Australian Imperial Force in the Australian Army Medical Corps in 1917 and returning to Europe. He was awarded the Military Cross for his service. He was discharged due to a bout of tuberculosis.[3]

He returned to Australia, where he was appointed Medical Officer at the Red Cross War Chest Farm Colony in Beelbangara, New South Wales, however his condition worsened and he died in 1922.[4][8]

References
  1. Black, J. (10 October 1938). "re Ex. Captain Archibald L. McLean, 17th Battn. A.A.M.C." (JPEG). Letter to G.E. Hall, Esq., Hon. Archivist, Sydney University. Sydney: Returned Sailors & Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia. Retrieved 15 November 2020. He died at Prince Alfred Hospital on the 13th May, 1922 and was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Gore Hill, North Sydney on the 15th May 1922, by Woods Coffils Undertakers.
  2. "Dr Archibald Lang McLean. 1885~1922" (PDF). Battleaxe. 2 (3): 6. April 2010.
  3. "MCLEAN, ARCHIBALD LANG". University of Sydney. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  4. "Mawson's Men". Department of the Environment. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  5. "Dr Archibald Lang McLean diaries, 2 December 1911-26 February 1914, kept while a member of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-14, together with a typed narrative, 2 December 1911-26 February 1914". Catalogue. State Library of NSW. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  6. "Archibald Lang McLean". Home of the Blizzard. Department of the Environment. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  7. "Archibald Lang McLean (26) - Mawson 1911-1914 Chief Medical Officer, Bacteriologist". Cool Antarctica. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  8. "Current Topics". Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938). NSW: National Library of Australia. 24 May 1922. p. 6. Retrieved 26 June 2015.


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