Charles George Millott
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Charles George was the second son of George Robert and Alice Elizabeth Millott (née Fleckney). His father George Robert (also Robert George) was born in Thoresby, Nottinghamshire, in 1868 (O/N/D Southwell) the son of James and Charlotte Tamar Millott. In 1871 James, a stonemason, and Charlotte were living at The Barracks, Edwinstowe, with their two children George (2) and Tamar (under one year) although they later moved to Mansfield. His mother Alice Elizabeth Fleckney was born in Salford, Bedfordshire, in 1870 (J/F/M Woburn Beds), the daughter of James and Sarah; she was baptised in Salford parish church on 27 February 1870. George and Alice were married on 26 December 1890 at Mansfield St John the Evangelist. They had eight children of whom only six survived infancy. The surviving children, who were all born in Mansfield, were: William b. 1891 (O/N/D Mansfield), Alice b. 17 May 1893 (A/M/J Mansfield), Charles George b. 1895 (J/A/S Mansfield), Edna May/Mary b. 1 May 1903 (A/M/J Mansfield), Alfred b. 12 April 1907 (A/M/J Mansfield) and Jessie b. 18 June 1908 (J/A/S Mansfield). In 1891, shortly after their marriage, George (22), an iron founder, and Alice (21) were living on Welbeck Street, Mansfield. However, by 1901 George was the licensee of the Horse and Jockey, 66 Leeming Street, Mansfield, although still following his trade as an iron founder. He and Alice had three children: William (9), Alice (7) and Charles (5). In 1911 the family was living at 17 Murray Street, Mansfield; George was now working as an iron moulder in a foundry. Their six surviving children were living at home: William (19) and Charles (15) who were grocers at a Co-op store, Alice (17), Edna (7), Alfred (3) and Jessie (2). George and Alice were still living at 17 Murray Street when Charles was killed in 1917. Alice died aged 56 in 1926 (J/A/S Mansfield). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled George, now retired, was living at 26 Milton Street, Mansfield. He died on 24 December 1943 in the Mansfield Victoria Hospital; his home was then at 10 Byron Street, Mansfield. Probate was awarded to his son, Alfred, and married daughter Edna Rowley. Of Charles' siblings: William served in the Notts and Derby Regiment (58591) and later the Labour Corps (634618 Lance Corporal). He married Lily May Mee in 1915 (A/M/J Mansfield) and he and his wife were living at 17 Murray Street, Mansfield, when he died in hospital on 9 March 1921. The probate record gave his occupation as grocer's manager. Alice married Benjamin Simpson in 1917 (A/M/J Mansfield. In 1939 they were living at 20 Goldsmith Street, Mansfield; Benjamin (b. 2 May 1895) was a clerk for a motor haulage company. They may have had three children: John G b. 1918, Barbara M. b. 1922 and Muriel A. b. 1926. Alice and Benjamin were still living in Mansfield when she died in hospital 10 December 1954. Edna Mary married Percy G Rowley in 1929 (J/F/M Mansfield) and they probably had one son, Brian b. 1931 (J/A/S Mansfield). In 1939 they were living at 10 Byron Street, Mansfield; Percy (b. 3 May 1899) was an omnibus driver. There was one other person in the household, the record remains closed. It is likely that Edna's widowed father, George, later came to live with them as the probate record of 1944 gave his address as 10 Byron Street. Edna died in 1972 (J/F/M Mansfield). Alfred married Ivy M Shaw in 1929 (J/A/S Mansfield). In 1939 Alfred, a painter and paper hanger, and Ivy (b. 18 January 1906) were living at 32 Crompton Road, Mansfield. Alfred died in 1966 (O/N/D Boston Lincs). He was survived by his wife (d. 1992 July Mansfield). Jessie married Valentine Keith S Russell in 1932 (O/N/D Mansfield. In 1939 they were living in Wigan, Lancashire, where Valentine (b. 14 February 1899) was a senior salesman at a furniture shop. Valentine died in 1970 (J/A/S Chorley Lancs). Jessie has not yet been traced after 1939 although there is a record of the burial/cremation of a Jessie Russell in Nottinghamshire on 14 March 1997 (date of death 4 March).
'C' company. 2202 Private Charles G Millott went to join the 1/8th battalion on 2 March 1915. The 1/8th had arrived in France during February. He was wounded, date not known, and on his return to fitness went to the 9th battalion which by July 1916 was also in France. The battalion spent most of July 1917 in the front line trenches facing the German front (Canadian Trench). The enemy knew that an attack was coming soon and they threw everything at the British lines, both front and reserve. The battalion held a brigade front and were thinly spread. The reserve line/area was a small depression a few hundred yards from Canadian trench near to La Belle Alliance Farm. Charles was killed on 23 July 1917 when a shell hit the dugout he was in; seven others with him were wounded. He was buried in the battlefield cemetery La Belle Alliance (grave ref. C.5).
His cousin, James Ernest Millott, the son of his father's younger brother James Millott, served in the Machine Gun Corps (46554 Sergeant, formerly Sherwood Foresters) and drowned accidentally in Lake Timsah, Ismailia, Egypt, on 17 April 1918 (Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery). CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'He died that we might live' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father, George Robert, was his legatee. Platoon Sergeant Harwood - letter to parents: 'Dear Mrs Millott and family, With deepest sympathy I regret to be one of the people to tell you of the sad death of your brave and gallant soldier son, Charles , who met his death like the good soldier he was, on 25th. He and I had just been on a ration party, and been hold up with the Bosches sending gas, and your son had not been back five minutes when he was killed instantly by an enemy shell. He went into his little dug-out, which we shared, and sat down, when the shell came and went right through the top, killing him and wounding seven others, I hardly need to tell you how greatly he is missed in his platoon, for he was always cheerful and happy. He and I were looking after the platoon, having no officer at the time, and I, offer you, on behalf of his platoon, my deepest sympathy. I know it will be a great blow to you, but it might be a little consolation to you to know that he had a proper burial. I went to see the last of him in a little cemetery just behind the place where he died. I had the good fortune to see his brother just as I was coming out, and I pointed out the place to him, so he may have the chance of getting more particulars about him. I have had the parcel today, which you sent your son, and have given it to his section, and thank you very much for the same. As you know the men make it a rule for all parcels to be given to the man's section, if anything happens. Well, I will now close with all the platoon's sympathy. E C Harwood.' (23rd and not 25th as in letter - possibly a typing mistake in the newspapers in which it was published.) Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser - 03/08/1917. Charles had been killed by a shell in a dug out, his parents, Mr & Mrs Millott of Murray Street, had been informed of his death in a letter from their son, William. Enlisted shortly after the breakout of the war and had worked at Hermitage Mills. Mansfield News - Aug 1917. Killed in a Dug-out. Fate of Pte Charles Millott has been received this week by Mr and Mrs Millott of Murray Street, Mansfield, that their son, Charles, of Sherwood Foresters, has been killed in France (actually Belgium); the information being sent by his brother, William, who was also with the Sherwood's at the front. The deceased, who was home on leave a few weeks ago, was in a dug-out when he was struck on the head by the nose cap of a shell and fatally injured. He joined the army soon after the outbreak of war, when he was employed at the Hermitage Mills and had previously been slightly wounded. Brother William visited Charles's body, who had been laid out in small family chapel at La Belle Alliance Farm. Mansfield Reporter, 3 August 1917: ‘Killed in France. Mansfield Man’s Death. Mr and Mrs Millott, of Murray-street, have received a letter from their son, William, in which he states that his brother Charles was killed by being struck on the head by the nose-cap of a shell whilst he was in a dug-out. No official intimation has yet come to hand. Charles was in the 9th Sherwood Foresters and William in the 16th, both having enlisted soon after the outbreak of war. About a year ago the former was slightly wounded, but apart from this had come through with good luck during 2½ years of trench life. He was home on leave about seven weeks ago. Prior to joining the colours he was employed by Messrs. Eden and Sons.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘Acknowledgements’, 18 March 1921: ‘Mrs. Millott and family wish to thank all friends at Mansfield and Edwinstowe, who kindly inquired, and who sent floral tributes during their sad bereavements. 17, Murray-street, Mansfield’ (www.britishnewspaperaarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘Deaths’, 27 August 1926: ‘On the 17th inst.m, Alice Elizabeth Millott, Cavendish Street, Mansfield. Aged 56’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
