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