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Draft:Piper L/CPL James Mclean

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Lance Corporal James McLean (Service Number 2979505) was a Scottish soldier in the British Army, serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders during the Second World War. He did his basic training in Stirling, with his first posting was to Karachi, Pakistan in June 1935 during his 3 years there he was awarded the 1936 Indian General Service medal and the 36/37 Northwest Frontier Clasp.

In August 1939, the 2nd Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were deployed to Malaya under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Ian Stewart. The Battalion, known as the Jungle Beasts, were part of 12th Infantry Brigade.

It was during this time that the Japanese had joined WW2 and invaded the Malay Peninsula, in 1941.

Throughout late January 1942, the Commonwealth forces conducted a tactical withdrawal into Singapore.

On the night of January 31s and the morning of February 1st 1942, 30,000 British and Commonwealth troops were withdrawn across the Johore Causeway to Singapore Island, without casualties or fatalities.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 on 1 February 1942, 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 21/26th Australian Battalion, followed by the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders across the Causeway.

The final crossing was Piper James McLean and Charles 'Boy Stewart and leading the 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders crossing of the Johore - Singapore Causeway piping 'A Hundred Pipers' and 'Hielan Laddie' the regimental march. Lt Col Stewart was the last to cross the Causeway initiating a detonation resulting in 20 yard gap at 8:15am, he stated history would tell of the Argylls being the last Battalion over the Causeway and as history was made Piper James McLean played a pivotal role.

Renowned for his bravery and resilience, McLean endured the brutalities of the Far East theatre of war, including captivity as a Far East Prisoner of War (FEPoW). Despite his significant contributions, his story remains largely unrecognized in official records.

Early Life

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James McLean was born 28th June 1915 Glasgow in Scotland. Growing up in provanmil Glasgow , McLean developed a deep sense of loyalty and service to his country, which would later define his military career.

Military Service

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Johore Causeway and Malayan Campaign

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McLean served as a piper with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, a regiment known for its distinguished service in the British Army. Alongside his fellow piper Piper Charles "boy" Stuart , James was tasked with bolstering troop morale during the Malayan Campaign. The two brothers in Arms notably played the pipes as the Gordon Highlanders, The Australian Brigade and finally Argylls crossed the Johore Causeway, an act of remarkable courage under enemy fire. Despite their bravery, neither Piper received formal recognition or mention in dispatches.

Far East Prisoner of War

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Following the surrender of British forces at Singapore in February 1942, McLean became a prisoner of war under the Japanese Imperial Army. He was subjected to the horrors of forced labour on the Thai-Burma Death Railway, a grueling project notorious for its appalling conditions, malnutrition, and rampant disease.

Later, McLean survived the bombing of three infamous “hellships,” hofoku Maru, oryoku Maru and Brazil Maru unmarked transport vessels used to move Allied prisoners under dire conditions. Eventually, he was forced to work in the Mitsui coal mines in Japan, enduring severe physical and psychological hardships.

Post-War Life and Legacy

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James McLean returned to Scotland after the war, physically and emotionally scarred by his experiences. He continued to serve within the Argylls and Highland Brigade until 1959 seeing service within the Suez Canal earning the Near Clasp medal. Like many former FEPoWs, he received little acknowledgment or support for his suffering. McLean lived out his later years in relative obscurity and passed away in 1984. He was buried in a communal grave, reflecting the lack of recognition afforded to many veterans of the Far East campaigns.

In the years following his death, efforts have been made to commemorate McLean’s story and honour his legacy. A photograph of James and Stuart is displayed in a portrait of the Johore causeway the Argylls museum Stirling castle serving as a testament to their courage and sacrifice. However, their full contributions, particularly their roles as pipers in bolstering troop morale, remain underrepresented in historical accounts.

Memorialization

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Advocates for Far East Prisoners of War and the Argyll veterans have highlighted James McLean’s story as emblematic of the broader struggles faced by Scottish veterans of the Far East campaigns. His life and service continue to inspire calls for greater recognition of the FEPoWs’ sacrifices, including efforts to establish dedicated memorials in Scotland.

See Also

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  • Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
  • Far East Prisoners of War
  • Thai-Burma Railway
  • Hellships
  • Scotland Far East Prisoner of War Trust

References

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1. ]The 2nd Bn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, the last British Commonwealth unit, crossing the Johor Causeway minutes before it's blown, from Malaya to Singapore. 31st January 1942

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