McLean, William John ‘Jack’ (Wing Commander, b.1918 - d.1963)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 406112 Wing Commander William John 'Jack' McLean, 117 Squadron and 243 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force, Middle East, India, Burma, Australia and the United Kingdom, 1941-1956.

Wallet 1 of 2 – Contains two folders of material relating to the service of Wing Commander William John ‘Jack’ McLean.

Wallet 1 of 2, Folder 1 of 2 consists of two copies of a manuscript by Wing Commander McLean [including associated note], and one letter relating to the manuscript. The manuscript is titled ‘Tales from a Log Book’, and was written by Wing Commander McLean in c1956. It was intended to be printed in the publication ‘Exercise Gazette’. In this manuscript, Wing Commander McLean describes the work of his squadron in Burma, and the challenges that they faced while attempting to support the soldiers on the ground. The note attached to one copy of the manuscript was written by the editor of ‘Exercise Gazette’, and advises Wing Commander McLean that his article was unable to be published. The letter was written by Wing Commander J C [Wickham?] (exact identity unknown) to Wing Commander McLean, dated 3 December 1956. In this letter, the Wing Commander gives positive feedback on the manuscript.

Wallet 1 of 2, Folder 2 of 2 consists of one diary of Wing Commander McLean, containing entries dated between July 1941 and February 1943. This diary was written during Wing Commander McLean’s embarkation and service with 117 Squadron in Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and India. In this diary, Wing Commander McLean writes about his embarkation, life on board the ship, missing family and friends, his first impressions of the Middle East, being on leave, sightseeing, volunteering to serve with 117 Squadron, settling into his job, recovering from appendicitis in hospital, meeting with old friends, testing aircraft, travelling to India and his impressions of India. He continues, writing about evacuating women and children from Malta, flying throughout Africa, transporting equipment and supplies in various operations, Christmas celebrations, serving in Libya, living conditions, daily activities, and details of the people he served with. Wing Commander McLean also includes describes the landscapes of the places he encounters.

Wallet 2 of 2 consists of two diaries of Wing Commander William John ‘Jack’ McLean.

The first diary contains entries dated between February and November 1944, and was written during Wing Commander McLean’s service with 117 Squadron in Burma. In this diary, Wing Command McLean writes about the beginning of his service in Burma, sending and receiving letters, arranging loads of equipment and supplies to fit into aircraft, flying in bad weather, flying at night, dropping supplies to Allied troops on the front line, logistical challenges, the dangers of flying over enemy territory, looking after the men in his unit, working alongside aircrews of other nationalities, the movements of Japanese forces, the incident in which he met Mrs Elfrida ‘Frida’ Bruce (his future wife), being involved in camp administration and daily operation, the mental toll of service for people in his unit, evacuating Allied casualties from the field, a Japanese attack on their airfield, being appointed as the commanding officer of the unit, falling in love with Frida, and being on leave in India. This diary also includes names and addresses of acquaintances.

The second diary contains entries dated between December 1944 and September 1948, and was written during Wing Commander McLean’s service with 117 Squadron in Burma, 243 Squadron in Australia and post-war service with the Royal Air Force in England. In this diary, Wing Commander McLean writes about being the commanding officer of his unit, arranging training for his unit, liaising with the Army, sending and receiving letters, serving in Australia and the Pacific with 243 Squadron, and transporting passengers and mail. After an interlude, Wing Commander McLean recommences his entries in 1948, writing about his permanent commission in the Royal Air Force, visiting his folks at home in Western Australia, travelling in Europe, his feelings about the devastation of Germany, meeting old friends, representing Great Britain in in bobsledding in the Winter Olympic Games, settling in England, his daily duties in the Royal Air Force, playing sports, world news, and his family. This diary also contains one newspaper clipping and one photograph negative.

• Wallet 1 of 2 - Papers relating to William John ‘Jack’ McLean
• Wallet 2 of 2 - Diaries of William John ‘Jack’ McLean