Guest Ben Jones Posted 21 November , 2002 Share Posted 21 November , 2002 I am trying to find out more about WHB Mirrlees who was commissioned in the Royal Artillary in 1912, fought through both World Warrs and retired as Major General Royal Indian artilary in 1950. I know he fought at Le Cateau but if anyone has any pointers I would be interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coulson Posted 22 November , 2002 Share Posted 22 November , 2002 He gets quite a few mentions in Lyn Macdonalds book "1914" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Furnell Posted 22 November , 2002 Share Posted 22 November , 2002 Evening Ben and Bob. This caught my eye because i work for a firm that make Mirrlees pumps. Any relation i wonder? Regards. Simon Furnell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 22 November , 2002 Share Posted 22 November , 2002 The following is the entry for WHB Mirrlees in "The Marlborough College Register 1843-1933" which gives some early backround. WILLIAM HENRY BUCHANAN MIRRLEES Son of W.J.Mirrlees (Natal) Marlborough College 1907-11 Prefect Hockey XI 1910 & 1911 (Captain) Rugby XV 1910 Joined RA 1912 Captain 1916 Major 1931 MC 1918 and Legion of Honour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ben Jones Posted 23 November , 2002 Share Posted 23 November , 2002 Bob & Simon His family owned Mirlees Blackstone from Glasgow where I belive the pumps come from. His father also worked with Otto Diesel to make the engines that ended up inthe Mk 1 tanks! He does appear in the MacDonald Books and I have Rory McClouds telegram to Mirrlees family with an added description of the battle. This was about my first contact with him and sparked my interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Furnell Posted 23 November , 2002 Share Posted 23 November , 2002 Thanks for that info Ben.It is a very small world really. Mirrlees pumps are now owned by a large US corporation and recently all pump production was moved to Glasgow,although i am not sure if it is to the original factory. They were owned,i believe,by Plenty Limted and this company was active during WW1 and WW2,producing engines,pumps and filters for the war effort. Plenty also supplied engines for some of the first submarines built in the late 19th century. Good hunting. Regards. Simon Furnell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coulson Posted 24 November , 2002 Share Posted 24 November , 2002 Ben, Notice that Rory McLeod refers to him as Reay, any idea where this comes from. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 25 November , 2002 Share Posted 25 November , 2002 The 1947 Edition of Whitakers Almanac lists 204 Maj-Generals in the British Army with WHB Mirrlees CB DSO MC as 82nd in order of seniority. The 204 does not include a further 61 in the Indian Army and 7 T.A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ben Jones Posted 25 November , 2002 Share Posted 25 November , 2002 Bob Reay appears to be a Scottish nickname for William. The family lived in Cambridge for a while but Reay went to the Orphanage school in Aberlour before going on to Marlborough. He was involved in the Curagh incident in Ireland circa 1911-1912. Does anyone know much about this? His service at Le Cateau was mentioned in a number of local papers at the time and there are various letters ref McClouds injuries and congrats from various well wishers to his mother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 26 November , 2002 Share Posted 26 November , 2002 For brief outline of the Curragh Incident see www.bbc.co.uk/war/easterrising/prelude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coulson Posted 26 November , 2002 Share Posted 26 November , 2002 Thanks for that info Ben. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warlencourt Posted 5 February , 2016 Share Posted 5 February , 2016 In case anyone is following this Mirrlees presentation sword is up for auction tomorrow, with online bidding; http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/criterion-auctioneers/catalogue-id-criter10484/lot-59e2ac84-ed3b-4be3-bbba-a5a200d1ab5a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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