Alexander Stewart Mclaren

Born in Guelph on May 18, 1918, Alexander was one of four sons of Alexander McLaren Sr. and Minnie Stewart. He also had a younger sister. The 1921 and 1931 Canadian Censuses place the family on King St. and at 184 Maple Ave East, Georgetown, respectively. The home once located at 184 Maple Ave, (at the top of the hill) no longer exists, having burned down in the late 1990’s. Alexander attended Georgetown Public School 1924-1932 and Georgetown High School 1932-1938 and Shaw’s High Park Business School 1938-1940. Alexander subsequently worked at the Dominion Seed House from April-June 1940 as an assistant accountant and from 1940 until the time of his enlistment in 1941, at Alliance Paper Mill as a clerk. In his RCAF Interview, he reported that he had completed YMCA lifesaving and his pastimes were photography, swimming, skiing, baseball, volleyball and basketball. It was noted that he was “a clean-cut type, cool and collected and good material for Observer.”

Alexander was an Air Observer /Bomb Aimer in the RCAF “Moose” Squadron 419 and on August 10, 1943 he went missing after an air operation. He was subsequently officially reported “missing, believed to be killed over Germany, now presumed dead”. He had taken part in a great number of raids over enemy territory including German industrial cities.

Flight Sergeant Alexander McLaren was buried at Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany…just 25 years of age. His parents not yet aware of his death, would soon enough mourn their loss.

Alexander is commemorated at Georgetown High School, on the Cenotaph Remembrance Park Georgetown and the Honour Roll St. John’s United Church.

A true Canadian Hero. His story lives on.

*Information taken from Findagrave.com, Ancestry.ca and Rick Ruggle (Historian for the Lorne Scots Regiment)

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