Flying Officer Burns Alexander McLennan

Birth: August 25, 1917 in Vancouver, BC
Death: December 17, 1943 in Ely, Huntingdon, England
Service: WWII
Service Number: J20576

Biography:
Burns Alexander McLennan spent most of his early life in Richmond attending elementary school and Richmond High School, graduating in 1935. Burns attended one year at UBC, taking pre-med, and then attended Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph for four years, specializing in Apiary. While at the college, he won the Eric Miller Scholarship and was enrolled in the Canadian Officer Training Corps. He graduated in April 1941, and immediately gained employment managing an apiary at Seden, Ontario. He was later employed as an assistant Provincial Apiary Inspector.

After enlistment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Vancouver, October 9, 1941, Burns McLennan was posted to Claresholm, Alberta for training, receiving his wings in November 1942. He embarked for England in December 1942 and received his promotion to Flying Officer in May 1943. He was then posted to the #405 City of Vancouver Squadron Pathfinder Force of the Bomber Command.

On December 17, 1943 Lancaster Bomber #JB477 was returning from bombing operations over Berlin, Germany, when it encountered bad weather and ran out of fuel. The plane crashed two miles south-east of the aerodrome at Gravely, England, killing or injuring all on board. Burns McLennan was taken to hospital in Ely, Huntingdon and died of his injuries at 8.10 a.m. December 17, 1943. He was buried at the City Cemetery, Cambridge, England. Left to mourn his memory were his mother and his sister Mrs. Ruth Morrison of Victoria, and a nephew Burns Morrison.

History of the Road Name (McLennan Avenue and McLennan Place):

• Council Resolution to adopt road name (McLennan Place): Council Minutes February 4, 1946, res. 8711, pg. 45
• Council Resolution to adopt road name (McLennan Avenue): Council Minutes April 8, 1947, res. 9635, pg. 103