MWO George MacLean was an integral part of the 48th Highlanders Regimental Family for 86 years and at the age of 104,  set the record as our oldest living
Highlander of the modern era. George joined the 48th on April 25, 1938, and was issued Regimental Number 1892. When he came into the Regiment in
1938, it was a year and half before the start of World War 2. George’s first major public parade was the official visit to Canada of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) in May, 1939, when they dedicated the new Queen Elizabeth Way.

When war was declared in early September 1939, George immediately volunteered. However, when taking his medical exam he realized he had to read an eye chart, which was impossible without his glasses. George quietly memorized the chart then joined the line of volunteers. Unfortunately, just as he came to the head of the line a new medical officer arrived. He knew George and said “You can’t see. Drop out of the line.” George stayed with the home battalion, working in Battalion Headquarters and assisted in the weapons training of new recruits who had volunteered for overseas duty. After the War, George was promoted to Sergeant in 1948 and in 1959 to Staff Sergeant (or Warrant Officer) becoming Chief Clerk the following year. He became a WO2 or Master Warrant Officer in 1961. MWO MacLean completed 30 years of active service with the Regiment in September, 1968 but continued as the Treasurer of the Sgts Mess for another 30 years, capping off 60 years of continuous active and volunteer service to his Regiment in 1998.