| Regimental number | 27566 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Naseby |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | School teacher |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Height | 6' 1" |
| Weight | 172 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, J McLaren, 16 Baldwin Street, North East Valley, Dunedin |
| Previous military service | Served in 4th Otago Regiment, Territorial Force; still serving at time of NZEF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Trentham |
| Rank on embarkation | Lance Corporal |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 17th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion, D Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board Pakeha on |
| Final rank | Private |
| Final unit | 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 22 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Tyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel 3), Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: James McLaren, 16 Baldwin Street, North East Valley, Dunedin, and the late Sarah Jane McLaren |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Wellington, 23 July 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 18 November 1916, and marched into Sling Camp. Proceeded overseas to France, 11 February 1917; joined 1st Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, in the field, 14 March 1917, and posted to 4th Company, and relinquished appointment of Lance Corporal. Killed in action, Belgium, 12 October 1917. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 41, p. 14 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 10925834 |