Craghead St Thomas' church yard
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John George Mills was born 1880 at Pelton, County Durham, the eldest of 10 children, 4 boys, 4 girls and 2 deceased (gender unknown), born to coal miner Thomas Witton Mills born 1853, White Cow Inn, Yorkshire and his wife Charlotte Jane Bell 1860 native of Lingdale, Yorkshire, whom he married in the district of Lanchester in 1878. At the time of John George’s birth, they were living at Low Row, Craghead where Thomas worked at the colliery as a horse driver above ground. Over the years they moved to Thomas Street and then Oswald Street, Craghead, Thomas worked also as a wagon rider and a banksman.
July 6th 1900 John George married Mary Hannah Carrington at Trimdon Colliery Parish Church, by 1911 they were living at 7 Pine Street, Grange Villa, County Durham and he was employed at the colliery as a banksman above ground. Mary Hannah during their 9 years of marriage had given birth to 5 children, 3 of whom died in infancy, the eldest surviving was Jim 6 years and a daughter Ethel 1-year-old. They went on to have a further 3 children Charlotte Jane 1912, Thomas Witton 1913 and John George Jnr. 1916.
John George Mills Snr. enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, March 4th 1915, aged 35 years 145 days, declaring he had previously served in the 4th Battalion D.L.I. Volunteers for 2 years, he was assigned as Private 11872 to the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. During his service he rose through the ranks to Lance Corporal and departed for France as of January 1916 although his military record is incomplete as to the exact date and whereabouts. April 30th 1917 he was returned from the front suffering from L.C.T of the left foot, lower critical temperature, a symptom of trench foot, subsequently he was admitted to Colliton House Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital in Dorchester. Marquees were erected in the grounds at Colliton House to accommodate the recovering soldiers and less seriously wounded, the main house was used for treatment rooms. John George remained here until June 8th 1917. It is unclear if he returned to the front or re-joined his unit at home however February 23rd 1918 he was diagnosed as suffering from lymphoma and sent to the Sunderland War Hospital, his father was immediately informed of his condition.
Lance Corporal 11872 John George Mills Durham Light Infantry died at Sunderland War Hospital, 8 a.m. March 11th 1918, surrounded by his relatives. Permission was given the following day for the removal of his body which was transported from Sunderland to Pelton and on to his home at 7, Pine Street, Grange Villa. Lance Corporal Mills is interred at St Thomas Churchyard, Craghead, grave B. 3. 9.
His widow Mary Hannah received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to her home address.
Of their 5 children Jim Carrington Mills died aged 68 in 1972, Ethel married Robert Minto and died aged 38 in 1948, John George Mills Jnr. married Mary E. Wass and died aged 51 in 1967, no details available for Charlotte Jane or Thomas Mills.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John George Mills is remembered at Craghead on C120.02, at West Pelton W112.01 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 48.
