Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
McLennan, Bartlett
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1868-1918
History
Bartlett McLennan (10 Nov. 1868-3 Aug. 1918) was born in Montreal, the twelfth child of Hugh McLennan and Isabella Stewart McLennan. Bartlett McLennan was educated at the High School of Montreal before attending the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario, where he graduated with high honors. On returning to Montreal, McLennan entered into business with his father, succeeding him as president of the Montreal Transportation Company in 1900. McLennan was also the vice president and later a director of the Williams Manufacturing Company, in addition to being a director of the Montreal Grain Elevating Company, the Royal Trust Company, the Bell Telephone Company, and other companies. McLennan was a life governor of the Montreal General Hospital and a supporter of the Montreal Sailors’ Institute.
McLennan was considered one of the foremost horsemen in Montreal, if not Canada. He was a leading member of the Black River Polo Club and for years was a prominent member of the Montreal Hunt Club. A supporter of horse racing, McLennan helped to organize the Montreal Jockey Club and participated in horse races and shows. He was also a golf enthusiast.
When World War I was declared, McLennan resigned his directorates, with the exception of the Royal Trust, in order to devote his time to war efforts, and disposed of the family holdings with the Montreal Transportation Company. In 1915, he joined the 5th Battalion of the Royal Highlanders of Canada as a lieutenant. When the 42nd Battalion, R.H.C. was organized, he joined as a junior major, but was shortly promoted to senior major and second in command, arriving in France with the Battalion in October 1915. Early in 1916, McLennan suffered injuries from his horse falling on him, but soon returned to France, and assumed command of the Battalion with the rank of lieutenant colonel in April 1917. McLennan received the Distinguished Service Order in June 1917 in recognition of outstanding services in the engagement of 2-5 June 1916, near Ypres. He was killed in action at Amiens, France, and is buried in the Longueau British Cemetery in France. A granite monolith was erected to his memory at Longueau, but in 1926 it was brought back to McLennan family plot at the Mount Royal Cemetery. On 13 November 1921, a stained glass window dedicated to Bartlett McLennan and 42nd Battalion was unveiled at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul in Montreal.