Private Fraser Allen McLaren
Survivor of WW1
Service Biography
Fraser Allen McLaren was born at Ormstown, Quebec, on 31 October 1890 and was working as an automobile mechanic in Fruita, Colorado, when he enlisted at Toronto on 25 February 1918. He served as a private with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Siberia, including the 20th Machine Gun Company. He embarked from Vancouver aboard S.S. War Charger on 27 November 1918 and returned to Vancouver in March 1919. He was discharged there on demobilization on 17 March 1919.
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
3232437
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Battalion:
20th Machine Gun Company, CEF (Siberia)
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Ormstown, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
27 years 3 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
28 years 4 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Auto Mechanic
Next of Kin:
Esther McLaren, wife, Fruita, Colorado, USA
Address at Enlistment:
Fruita, Colorado, USA
Religion:
Presbyterian
Place of Enlistment:
Toronto, Ontario
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
5 ft 6.5 in / 169 cm
Weight:
141 lbs / 64 kg
Chest:
32.0 in / 81 cm
Expansion:
3.0 in / 8 cm
Marital Status:
Married
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Siberia
Place of Discharge:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Discharge Type:
Regular/End of Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
385 days in service
Buried at:
Links
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Private |
Canadian Machine Gun Corps |
Army |
20th Machine Gun Company, CEF (Siberia) |
|
|
|
| WW1 |
Private |
District Depot, Military District 11 |
Army |
District Depot XI, Hastings Park |
|
|
|
| WW1 |
Private |
1st Central Ontario Regiment |
Army |
2nd Depot Battalion |
|
|
|
Service Chronology
1890-10-31 — Born
1918-02-25 — Attested as Private 3232437; joined 2nd Depot Battalion, 1st Central Ontario Regiment
1918-03-21 — Struck off strength of 2nd Depot Battalion on transfer
1918-09 — Taken on strength with Machine Gun Company, CEF (Siberia)
1918-11-01 — Separation allowance and assigned pay arranged for wife Esther McLaren
1918-11-22 — Executed will; estate left to Edna Bagshaw
1918-11-27 — Embarked for overseas aboard S.S. War Charger
1919-03-04 — Returned/disembarked; struck off strength of 20th Machine Gun Company on transfer to District Depot MD 11 for disposal
1919-03-06 — Taken on strength, District Depot XI
1919-03-17 — Discharged on demobilization
Notes
Physical description: 5 ft 6½ in, 141 lb, chest 32-35 in, grey eyes, brown hair; complexion recorded as medium on attestation and ruddy on Medical History Sheet. Distinguishing mark: appendicitis/right iliac-region scar. The file contains an unrelated John White card on p.6.
Additional Service Notes
Enlisted at Toronto on 25 February 1918 as Private 3232437. Served with the 20th Machine Gun Company, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Siberia), embarking from Vancouver aboard S.S. War Charger on 27 November 1918. Returned to Vancouver in March 1919 and was discharged on demobilization on 17 March 1919.
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Wife Esther McLaren was NOK at enlistment, living at Fruita, Colorado, USA. Separation/assigned-pay records dated 1 Nov 1918 identify her as wife and beneficiary. Later Siberia Record Sheet lists Dr. Peter McLaren, Ormstown, Quebec, as NOK and marks marital status 'Widower'; reason/date for the change is not established.
Version: 3 Last modified: 2026-09-20 02:33:14
by: marc
