Photo : Illustrated Chronicle
Medal Index Card
CWGC Headstone
One of his medals
James and his brother Thomas were twins, born on the 23rd June 1891 in Wallsend, Northumberland, to Alexander Millar and Annie [nee Jones]. Their parents were married on 26th December, 1883 at Christ Church, Tynemouth.
His father, Alexander, was born in Kelso, Roxburgh on the 18th May 1860, and his mother, Annie, was born on the 13th August 1860 in North Shields. Annie was a dressmaker in 1881 before marrying, and Alexander was a Plasterer.
In the census of 1891, the family were living at 1 Industrial Terrace, Hopper Street, Wallsend, and it shows they already had two daughters, Mary [born 1884] and Meg also known as Meggie [born 1889]. The Census also has information relating to two visitors who were staying there that night; one was Alexander’s sister Helen (Ellen) nee Millar (born 1858; died 1932], and the other was her husband, John B Hall, [born 1864; died 1959]. They were both born in Kelso, Roxburgh; John was a Railway Clerk by trade, and Helen worked as a Mantle Machinist. This involved machining mantles for gas lamps, and would have been intricate work as the mantles were flimsy.
Alexander’s sister, Helen (Ellen) and her husband, John, were married in Portobello, Edinburgh in 1887. Their first child, James Livingstone Hall, was born on 16th July 1891, almost a month after Annie and Alexander had given birth to James and Thomas. Helen and John’s second child, Ballantyne Scott Hall [born in 1892; died from Scarlet fever in 1902 in Scotland]; their third child, a daughter, Agnes Logan was born in early 1896 in Newcastle and their last child, Mary Ellen, was born in early 1902 in Scotland; and died on 26th April 1902, at Edinburgh Children's Hospital, age three months of Peritonitis.
On the 12th September, 1895, both James and his brother, Thomas, are now living at Gerald Street, Wallsend. They were educated at the Buddle Infants School from the 12th September 1895 till the 31st December 1897, then to the Buddle Mixed Junior School from the 10th January 1898 till the 31st December 1901. On both admissions their father’s name, Alexander is listed and the junior school has their address as 22 Maude Terrace, Wallsend.
In 1901 the family are now residing at 22 Maude Terrace, Wallsend, living with the family was Annie’s father, Thomas Smith Jones (now 76 years old) – he is a widower and a retired Mariner. Also living with them were their seven children: Mary, Meg (also known as Meggie), James, Thomas, Alexander, William and Robert. In 1911, three of Alexander and Annie’s sons are working and Maggie appears to be helping out with the household duties; they are still at the same address, James is working as a Wood Machinist in the Sawmills; his twin, Thomas, is working as a Blacksmith’s striker; William is a Shoemaker’s assistant; and Robert and Albert are still at school.
The 1911 census shows that in total Alexander and Annie had nine children consisting of three daughters and six sons: one of their daughters, Margaret, born 1886; sadly, died the same year. Their other daughter Mary was born in 1884; and they went on to have another daughter named Margaret (known as Meg or Meggie) in 1889. Their six sons were: James [born 1891; died 1916]; Thomas [born 1891, died 1926]; Alexander [born 1894; died 1916]; William [born 1898]; Robert Ballantyne [born 1900; died 1979] and Albert [born 1903; died 1982].
James enlisted at Wallsend in the High Street, into the 21st Tyneside Scottish Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in October 1914. He was one of 1158 men who enlisted into the 2nd Battalion. In November 1914 the Battalion were occupying Tilleys restaurant and in four halls in the Heaton district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. On the 16th December 1914, the Tyneside Scottish Brigade was renumbered as 123 (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade forming part of the 41st Division. Also a name change to read the 21st (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. On Sunday 10th January the first uniformed Church Parade at St Nicholas's church was held. On the 12th March the 21st Battalion marched to the camp at Alnwick, design of the War Office WO Type Plan BD85A/14.
Whilst in this camp the 21st Battalion named their huts after public house's in the men's villages.
The 21st Battalion had a Captain Stewart Alexander White as their Adjutant.
On the 1st August the Brigade left Alnwick and arrived at Ludgershall, Wiltshire on the 2nd August where they marched up Windmill Hill into tented accommodation.
On the 10th January the battalion left Warminster station in three trains. Arriving from Southampton to Le Havre on the 10th January.
The 21st Battalion came under command of 25th Brigade for its instruction in the trenches.
On the 1st of July, the 21st Battalion were to pass South of La Boisselle, followed by the 22nd Battalion, with the 26th (3rd Tyneside Irish Battalion) in support. Brigade Bombing companies had been formed to storm the village. The message of good wishes sent by the Army Commander was suppose to be delivered by runners, but one of the Brigade staff officers, was worried that the front line troops would not get the message, so the message was delivered by telephone or telegraph. In La Boisselle village was a German Listening post, "Moritz", this listening post picked up some of the message, this confirmed that an attack would take place. Also German intelligence had identified the 34th Division would be attacking La Boisselle. The 21st Battalion did reach the first line of the German defences. But so few men were left and every officer became a casualty.
James Millar was killed on the 1st July 1916.
His body was identified in January 1920 by the Burial Return Form B.F.12 which the Graves Registration Unit had originally identified.
James Millar is remembered at Wallsend on W7.12 and W7.21 where his name is incorrectly spelt as Miller.
