McLennan Family Fond

Bartlett McLennan was the youngest son of Hugh McLennan born on November 10, 1868. After graduating high school, Bartlett went on to graduate from the Royal Military College in Kingston Ontario. Once Bartlett he began to work in business with his father, he later succeeded his father to become president of the family’s company (Montreal Transportation Company). Throughout his career Bartlett also worked as engineer for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

From researching Bartlett's personal life in the Rare Books and Special Collections Library at the University of British Columbia, in Bartlett’s spare time he enjoyed playing polo and hunting. He was a member of both the Montreal Jockey Club and the Montreal Hunt Club. Bartlett was unmarried and lived with his two unmarried sisters Alice and Isabella.   

Bartlett was the president of the Montreal Transportation Co. and the director of the Williams Manufacturing CO., the Royal Trusts and the Bell Telephone to name a few. However, on August 5th 1914 when Canada declared war on Germany, he resigned from all positions, excluding the Royal Trust, in order to join the Canadian Army. Bartlett joined the 42. Canadian Battalion Royal Highlanders of Canada when it was organized in 1915 and he was a well known horsemen. He trained with the Battalion both in Canada and England. Finally, Bartlett went to fight in France in October 1915 as the second in Command.

In July 1916 he was badly injured when his horse fell on him and in April 1917 he returned to the Battalion as Lieutenant-Colonel. During June of 1917 Bartlett was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his services in the Battle of Ypres and on August 3rd 1918 Bartlett was killed in action during a personal reconnaissance mission regarding land that was to be attacked a few days later. He was buried at Longueau British cemetery in France.