Harry Aubrey de Vere Maclean

General Sir Harry Aubrey de Vere Maclean (Kaïd), KCMG (1848–1920) was a Scottish soldier, and instructor to the Moroccan Army.

Military career
He began his military career in the 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot in 1869. He was dispatched overseas to fight the Fenians in Canada. In 1877, Maclean went to Morocco and began his career as an army instructor for the Sultan Mulai Hassan. He gained the trust of the Sultan of Morocco and his successor Moulay Abdelaziz through his service and fought against opposing tribes throughout Morocco. During his career, he was kidnapped and held for ransom after a failed first attempt. He visited the forbidden city of Tafilalt, and eventually became commander of the Sultan of Morocco's Army.

Although he was loyal to his employer to a fault, he was regarded as an unofficial British agent in the United Kingdom. He was in June 1901 appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) by King Edward VII when he was attached to a Special diplomatic mission from Morocco to the United Kingdom.

Life in Morocco
He was physically large and used this to his advantage when disciplining insubordinates. Although maintaining his Scottish personality and expert bagpipe skill, he adopted Moorish costume.

Various heirlooms of the Kaïd Sir Harry Maclean, including his ceremonial sword, pistol and Matriculation of Arms are now housed for the Clan Maclean Heritage Trust at the Isle of Mull Museum.

References and notes

 * Dictionary of National Biography