Pte Hugh McKean 26-H-5

Hugh was born on September 14 1916 in Bellevue Alberta, the son of George Jack M. (deceased in 1941) and Mary McKean (both Scottish), of Winlaw, British Columbia. His parents were married on June 2 1913 in Coleman Alberta. His brother John McKean was in the army overseas too and his sisters were Annie Stevenson nee McKean and Lillian McKean.
His profession was CPR section hand and he was member of the Presbyterian Church. His hobbies were baseball, soccer and light reading.
He enlisted on July 12 1940 in Nelson British Columbia and he went on April 19 1942 overseas to the UK .
Hugh served during the landing in the first wave on D-Day June 6 1944 in Normandy and he was thereafter killed in action on Wednesday July 7 age 27 in the C Coy near Vieux Cairon/Caen. He was temporarily buried in Neuf Mer in an orchard near a house in Thaon and he was reburied on October 13 1945 in Bretteville S/Laize.
His medals were: 1939-45 Star; France Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM & Clasp.

His name is mentioned at the monument in Rots, Normandy.

In addition extra Information (English)

On this day on July 7 2026 exact 82 years ago Private Hugh McKean was killed in action while serving with the Canadian Scottish Regiment.
Hugh was born on 14 September 1916 in Belleview, Alberta. He lived in Winlaw with his parents. He had two sisters and one brother. His brother John also served overseas with C-Squadron of the British Columbia Regiment and survived the war. Hugh’s father passed away in June 1941.
Hugh enlisted on 12 July 1940 in Nelson, British Columbia. He went overseas in April 1942 and disembarked in the UK on 19 April 1942. He was first added to a reinforcement unit and transferred to the Canadian Scottish on 5 June 1942.
Hugh landed in France on 6 June 1944 and was with the Can Scots until 7 July 1944 when he was killed in action. From their war diary the following was noted:
“21.30 hrs: The coys moved off for Cairon: “D” Coy leading. In this area the troops rested for the big show of the morrow. Moaning-Minnie knew we had moved so kept us company overnight. Battalion H.Q. was set up in a strong dug-out (presumed to have been built by civilians under German persuasion). Two men were killed by the enemy barrage of mortar and artillery. Thus the Battalion spent the eve of “CHARNWOOD”.”
The second man killed was Sergeant Albert Patterson who died at the age of 27. Unfortunately we don’t have a photo from him.
Both Hugh and Albert were buried in an orchard near a house in Neuf Mer and later reburied at Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery.