261 www.on.legion.ca McKNIGHT, Ernest Robert “Ern” Ernest was born in 1918, in the rural community of Centre Napan (Chatham), New Brunswick where he was raised on the family farm with his three brothers. He enlisted in the Army in December 1943 and was shipped overseas in 1944, shortly after marrying his sweetheart. Isla. Ernie served primarily in Belgium and the Netherlands with the 3rd North Shore Regiment of New Brunswick. Most of his service involved transport. He was fortunate enough to remain uninjured throughout the war. One wartime tale he liked to relate was randomly meeting his brother, George, on a street in Antwerp. Ern continued to serve in Europe during the post war occupation and returned to Canada in 1946. In time, Ernie and his wife moved to Ontario, eventually to Peterborough which became home to them and their five children and where he worked as a carpenter. The family returned many times over the years to the farm in New Brunswick. Ernest McKnight died on October 26, 1999, at the age of 81. McLEAN, Daniel Daniel McLean, the son of Archibald and Margaret McLean, was on born July 10, 1876 in Erin Twp. Ontario. At age 39, he enlisted in the Army (Regular Force) with the 180th (Sportsmen) Battalion in Toronto on March 20, 1916. Many of the recruits were from athletic clubs who were associated with the Sportsmen’s Patriotic Association of Toronto. Despite his age, Daniel passed the physical and previously had three years of militia experience with the 30th Wellington Rifles and a further three years with the Royal Grenadiers. Basic training with the 180th was at Camp Borden. The battalion embarked from Halifax on the RMS Olympic arriving in England on November 21, 1916. The 180th Battalion arrived at the Witley training camp in Surrey but was soon broken up and used for reinforcements. Pte. Daniel McLean was taken on strength of the 123rd Pioneer Battalion in February 1917 arriving in France on March 10. In October, the 123rd was supporting the infantry during the Battle of Passchendaele. Daniel was killed in action on October 21, 1917. Pte Daniel McLean is buried in theYpres Reservoir Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium and commemorated on the tombstone of his parents in the Erin Union Cemetery. McLEAN, Frederick Clayton Fred was born on October 9, 1891, in Erin Township, Ontario. He had previous military experience as a Lieutenant for two years with the 30th Wellington Rifles Militia as a recruiter. Fred enlisted with the newly formed Wellington County 153rd Battalion on April 25, 1916 at Guelph. He became a team member recruiting in Erin and other county communities. Transferring to the 153rd came with some disappointment and sacrifice as he lost his Commission but was soon promoted to Sergeant. Other changes of Rank were to follow him through his service both up and down as he was transferred from unit to unit. Upon demobilization on May 24, 1919, he was Cpl. McLean. Fred was home on leave in October 1916 to say farewell to his brother Daniel who was subsequently killed in action in France in 1917. Fred embarked from Halifax with the 153rd on the SS Olympic that arrived in England on May 7, 1917. On the breakup of the 153rd, Fred was taken on strength of the 4th then the18th Battalions arriving in France on May 10, 1918. Cpl. Frederick C. McLean passed away in 1983 and is buried in the Erin Union Cemetery. We Will Remember Them Ontario Command
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