Major Frederick George McLaren was born in Witley, Surrey, England July 21, 1918.  He received his early education at Trinity College School, Port Hope. After graduating he entered Royal Military College. He interrupted his course at R.M.C. to join the 48th Highlanders in 1939, going overseas with the battalion that December. He went to France with his regiment in 1940, before that country fell.

He was promoted Captain in 1942 and took part in the Sicilian campaign after being torpedoed en route to the Mediterranean. He commanded Headquarters company of the 48th from September 1943 and was promoted Major in November. He was wounded in December 1943 and, after a period of hospitalization, rejoined the Regiment.

He received serious leg injuries when a shell burst near him and he died of wounds 5 December 1944 while chasing the retreating Germans, north of Rimini, Italy.

A sister, Sue McLaren, an occupational therapist with the RCAMC, died in England in August from injuries received in a motor accident.

Major McLaren was married in London, England, in 1942, to Betsy Trees, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Trees of Toronto, who went overseas to join the Women’s Transport Corps.

Besides his widow and parents, his son, James Duncan, and two sisters, Jane, with the Maple Leaf Club, London, and Patsy, with the Women’s Division of the RCAF, survived.

NOK: Son of Lt. Col. George H. McLaren (former Commanding Officer) and Sarah H. McLaren; husband of Elizabeth N. McLaren, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.