George McLean was the son of Angele Chilihitzia, of the Upper Nicola Band, and Allen McLean, an outlaw who would be hanged for murder in January of 1881. George grew up working as a cowboy at many ranches in the Nicola Valley. At the age of 25, George signed up to join the Canadian Mountain Rifles to fight in the Second Boer War (1899-1902). Although the recruitment process was racist, stating that all recruits were meant to be of “pure European decent”, McLean’s experience on horseback, and a letter of reference stating his good character allowed him to be recruited. He was considered to be a good horseback rider, and a fair shot and was awarded the South Africa Medal for his service.
In 1916, George McLean enlisted to fight in the First World War with the 172 (Rocky Mountain Rangers) Battalion. When he reached England, he was transferred to the 54th Battalion and sent to the front to eventually fight at Vimy Ridge where he would receive a Distinguished Combat Medal for his actions.
The citation on his DCM reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion when dealing with enemy snipers. Single-handed he captured nineteen prisoners, and later when attacked by five more prisoners, who attempted to reach a machine gun, he was able, although wounded to dispose of them unaided, thus saving a large number of casualties”.
