Pte A Mills, 1/8th Middlesex

[Ian Underwood]

Hi All

I downloaded the Trench Diary of Capt A. H. Woodbridge of the 1/8th Middlesex from the PRO last week and found this entry. I was initially too busy to think too much of it, but I re-read the entry and thought I'd share it with you all.

The entry is from APRIL 25th 1915* and concerns an unsuccessful counter attack made with 2 coys of Shropshires on German held trenches near Zonnebeke. The Germans had cut off some East Surreys from the rest of the line.

"Private Mills A. reported to me for gallant conduct after the charge, in going out in rear of trench, in open ground in daylight, under fire from Germans in captured sector and dressing the wounds of an E. Surrey Capt, and after waiting with him till dusk, bringing him in safely. It was unfortunate that I did not know the name of the E. Surrey officer who reported the act to me, and I could not find him afterwards, neither could I find a Capt. who was also witness of the deed. All men behaved splendidly in this their first fight."

A good fit for Pte Mills is the following man found on the CWGC website, although I can't be sure. Anyone else have any ideas.

Name: MILLS, ARTHUR A

Rank: Private

Regiment: Middlesex Regiment

Unit Text: 1st/8th Bn.

Date of Death: 08/10/1916

Service No: TF/4870

Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

Cheers

Ian.

* date edited due to earlier gaffe

[Kate Wills]

He is certainly a likely candidate, though A. Mills is not an unusual name and it would be nice to think he survived the war.

Either way, fate led you to the war diary entry Ian, so at least Pte Mills bravery has come to the attention of a small but very appreciative audience.

[Paul Johnson]

A quick search of the MIC's throws up 4 A Mills from the Middx Regiment.

If you download all of these then you'll probably find your man.

Good Luck, as it's a great story.

PAUL J

[bmac]

I downloaded the Trench Diary of Capt A. H. Woodbridge of the 1/8th Middlesex from the PRO last week and found this entry.  I was initially too busy to think too much of it, but I re-read the entry and thought I'd share it with you all.

The entry is from May 25th 1916 and concerns an unsuccessful counter attack made with 2 coys of Shropshires on German held trenches near Zonnebeke. The Germans  had cut off some East Surreys from the rest of the line.

Not 25th May 1916 if it was the 1/8th Middlesex. On that day the 1/8th Middlesex were preparing to dig a new front line trench opposite Gommecourt and they were at the small village of Souastre.

[Ian Underwood]

Not 25th May 1916 if it was the 1/8th Middlesex.  On that day the 1/8th Middlesex were preparing to dig a new front line trench opposite Gommecourt and they were at the small village of Souastre.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, I posted the thread late at night here, I actually meant to type the 25th APRIL and I even got the year wrong it's 1915 - the diary entry was from 2nd Ypres....I'll go back and edit the date now.

You're right Bmac, my original date would've had them preparing for the Somme offensive in the Gommecourt area. All my recent research has centred around the battalion around Gommecourt in June-July and later on at Leuze & Bouleaux Woods. Hence having 1916 on my mind.

(Note to self - do not post to the forum when I should be in bed, people may think you're a fool)

thanks, Ian