James Spray

Jane Ann McMillan was born and bred in Retford and worked in the family news agent business. In 1883, she had a daughter who she named Agnes McMillan. In 1891 she married a Retford man, George Spray, the ceremony taking place at Wandsworth in London. Returning to take up their residency in Retford, they had three children, George born 1892, James born 1894 and born Eva 1896. A double tragedy struck the family over the next few years. First Jane died in 1897 aged 33 and in the following year, George Spray senior died age 30. The four young orphans now needed a home which was taken on by Jane’s widowed mother, Caroline McMillan who was living at 42 Carolgate, Retford and running the news agent shop assisted by James whilst in 1911 George was working as a moulder in the local foundry works. Agnes married in 1908 and Eva in 1920 and grandmother, Caroline McMillan died in 1912 age 78. It was unknown at that time that both boys were both going to perish in the coming war. Family history research by Colin Dannatt