'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night 21st/22nd January 1918, the 2nd Battalion Otago Regiment, was holding the Reutel Sector of the New Zealand Divisional Front, east of Ypres, Lance/Sergeant Alexander MacLean being in command of one sub sector. The enemy made a most determined effort to raid the portion of the trenches held by Sergeant MacLean's Platoon. This NCO immediately called his Platoon to arms, manned the parapet, and opened fire on the advancing enemy. The portion of trench in which he was standing was blown in by shell fire. Without a moment?s hesitation he jumped on top of the parapet, and continued to fire himself, and control the fire of his Platoon from this exposed position until the enemy were dispersed, thus showing a magnificent example to his men. As soon as the raid was driven off he immediately inspected the stock of ammunition and bombs in the trenches, and, finding them depleted, organised a party, and himself led them to the Company Dump to draw a further supply. While doing this he was severely wounded in the shoulder. Regardless of his wound he secured the ammunition, and saw it placed in the trenches. Having assured himself that all was well, he them went to his Company Headquarters and reported on the situation. It was not until he had fully explained the whole operation to his Company Commander that he admitted he had been wounded, and immediately afterwards collapsed. His magnificent display of leadership and his devotion to duty are worthy of the highest praise.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 2 April 1918

Regimental number	8/4458
Occupation	Seaman
Next of kin	Sister, Mrs F Christie, Waikaia Southland
Rank on embarkation	Lance Corporal
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 11th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion, D Company
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 1 April 1916
	The Infantry component of the 11th Reinforcements left New Zealand on board two ships (HMNZT 49 'Maunganui' and HMNZT 50 'Tahiti'). It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked. The Nominal Roll gives the date of departure as 1 April 1916; harbour records indicate that the actual date of embarkation was 2 April 1916.
Medals	Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night 21st/22nd January 1918, the 2nd Battalion Otago Regiment, was holding the Reutel Sector of the New Zealand Divisional Front, east of Ypres, Lance/Sergeant Alexander MacLean being in command of one sub sector. The enemy made a most determined effort to raid the portion of the trenches held by Sergeant MacLean's Platoon. This NCO immediately called his Platoon to arms, manned the parapet, and opened fire on the advancing enemy. The portion of trench in which he was standing was blown in by shell fire. Without a moment?s hesitation he jumped on top of the parapet, and continued to fire himself, and control the fire of his Platoon from this exposed position until the enemy were dispersed, thus showing a magnificent example to his men. As soon as the raid was driven off he immediately inspected the stock of ammunition and bombs in the trenches, and, finding them depleted, organised a party, and himself led them to the Company Dump to draw a further supply. While doing this he was severely wounded in the shoulder. Regardless of his wound he secured the ammunition, and saw it placed in the trenches. Having assured himself that all was well, he them went to his Company Headquarters and reported on the situation. It was not until he had fully explained the whole operation to his Company Commander that he admitted he had been wounded, and immediately afterwards collapsed. His magnificent display of leadership and his devotion to duty are worthy of the highest praise.' Source: London Gazette Date: 2 April 1918
Sources	Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 28, p. 13