Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Mills was the eldest of 9 children of whom by 1911 only 5 had survived, 3 sons, 2 gender unknown, he also had 2 half-sisters, Sarah Ann and Isabella Hannah, as his father Robert Mills born 1865 at Cassop, Durham had married in 1891 to Sarah Ann Moses born 1871 at Howden-le-Wear, Sunderland. Once married they settled at Hedley Hill where James was born in 1892, William at Brandon 1896, in 1901 they were living at 19, High John Street, Meadowfield in the parish of Brandon and Byshottles where Robert was a labourer at the sanitary pipe works. Ten years later they lived at 2, Gordon’s Building, Jubilee Terrace, Low Moor, to support his family Robert was employed as a coal miner, James (16) as a putter and William a driver. youngest son Steven was 9-months old.
December 23rd 1911 James was married at Durham Registry Office to Ellen Reed born February 22nd 1890 at Craghead, their daughter Sarah had been born September 7th 1910 at Brandon, as was Robert November 14th 1912 and Wilfred August 19th 1914 within weeks of the commencement of war. James left his employment as a miner and enlisted at Durham, March 3rd 1915, assigned as Private to the Durham Light Infantry. He was initially listed in error as Private 489, later corrected to 494. Posted March 4th to the 19th (Durham Bantams) Battalion made up of men below the standard height of 5 feet 3 inches, joining his regiment at Hartlepool. He was given compassionate leave as son Robert fell ill, he died March 21st 1915 at 35, Newcastle Street, Brandon Colliery, aged 2 years, of measles and broncho pneumonia, James was the informant March 22nd. The Registrar requested the Records Office, York, payment of 2 shillings 7 pence on behalf of Private Mills for the copy of a death certificate.
Having returned to his regiment he had been destined to serve in England, however, after the initial enthusiasm to enlist subsided the decision was taken to lower the maximum height of recruits to 5 feet thus making him eligible for service at the front. The battalion moved to Cocken Hall in May 1915, home of Earl Durham who had offered his house and grounds to assist the war effort. Some of the men were billeted in the house the remainder in the outbuildings. Trenches were dug to simulate conditions at the front and a firing range. The battalion moved to Marsham in June where they were attached to the 106th Brigade of the newly formed 35th Division.
Having completed their training at Salisbury Plain the 19th Battalion D.L.I. departed to France, January 31st 1916 via Southampton. At the time of his departure Ellen was pregnant with their fourth child.
The 19th Battalion entered the trenches for the first time near Neuve Chapelle, February 11th 1916 remaining in the sector until being moved south, July 1st, by rail, to join the battle that had commenced that same day on the Somme. Sent to the trenches at Longueval the Bantams did little fighting being used instead to dig communication trenches under the constant shell fire which caused many casualties. Whilst at the front he would hopefully have received news of the birth of a son, April 18th 1916, baptised James William Mills.
Private 494 James Mills 19th Durham Light Infantry was killed in action, July 18th 1916, his son James Jnr died during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1916 adding to his widow and extended family’s grief.
The sacrifice of Private Mills is recorded as one of over 72,000 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating men from Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme before March 20th 1918 and who have no known grave.
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their surviving children and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at their home address at Brandon Colliery.
Ellen remarried in 1922 at Durham to Richard Hewitt born April 9th 1889 at Brandon, who had served during WW1 from 1915 until he was transferred to the Labour Corps and eventually pensioned out of the Army. He and Ellen had 2 children, Roseanna born March 28th 1927 and Thomas July 19th 1929. in 1939 Ellen, Richard, Roseanna, Thomas and Wilfred Mills were living at 50, Sunderland Station, Brandon. Richard Hewitt was employed as a hewer, William a colliery datal worker, both below ground.
Ellen Hewitt-Mills nee Reed died July 16th 1961, aged 71 years, at Brandon, County Durham having been widowed for a second time when Richard Hewitt died during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1939 aged 50 years. Wilfred Mills died aged 74 in 1989, district of Durham, details as regards his sister Sarah Mills, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Acknowledgements: Kevin Johnson
James Mills is remembered at Meadowfield on M50.01 and in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 186 and in the 19th DLI Book of Remembrance page 12
