John Harold Mills
- Family History
- Military History
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John's second name is recorded as 'Hard' or 'Harold' in official documents. He was born on 12th July 1893 he was the son of John a railway platelayer and his first wife the late Harriett Woolton . John Mills was born in 1867 at Nottingham, Harriett Woolton was born in 1868 at Nottingham, she died in 1901 aged 33 yrs, they were married on 15th July 1892 at St Albans Church, Sneinton, they had 3 children. Following the death of Harriett his father re married on 26th December 1903 at St Stephens Church, Sneinton to Lottie Weightman b1875 at Nottingham they lived at 29 Lyndhurst Road, Sneinton, Nottingham. The 1911 census records the family were living at 29 Lyndhurst Road, Sneinton John 44 yrs is a railway platelayer, he is living with his wife Lottie 36 yrs a plain net mender also living at the address is their son John Harold 17 yrs a chemist assistant . When the Royal Navy notified John's father of the death of his son the home address on his service record was 50 Sneinton Boulevard, Sneinton. However, the obituary in the local paper gives the information that John had lately lived on Meadow Lane, Nottingham.
John joined the Royal Navy as an ordinary seaman on 6 May 1912 on a 12 year engagement (5+7 years). He was advanced to able seaman on 14 August 1913 when he was serving in HMS Princess Royal. His first ship was Victory I (6 May 1912-29 June 1912), then Venerable (30 June 1912-13 November 1912), Princess Royal (14 November 1912, 14 Aug 1913-29 Nov 1913) Vernon II (30 Nov 1913-17 June 1914) and finally 'Woolwich (Hornet)' [as written in register] from 18 June 1914 to 8 March 1915. In February 1915 the First Destroyer Flotilla, which included the destroyer HMS Hornet and the depot ship HMS Woolwich, transferred from Harwich to South Queensferry in the Firth of Forth. The following month John accidentally drowned. A note on his record in the register of seamen's services reads, '8 March 1915, accidentally drowned. NL 22983/15 Report of recovery of body, not identified but probably that of this man.' However, the RN and RM War Graves Roll notes that his body was not recovered for burial. John is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (Panel 8).
Nottingham Evening Post obituary (abridged) 12 March 1915: ‘Mills. Accidentally drowned at sea, March 9th (sic), John Harold Mills, AB, late of 375 Meadow Lane, Nottingham.’Further obituaries published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 9th March 1916 : - “MILLS. – In ever-loving memory of J. H. Mills, accidentally drowned at sea, March 9th [sic], 1915. Gave his life for King and country; sadly missed by those who loved him best. Weep not for me, my friends so dear, I am not dead but sleeping here, and though the Lord has had His due, I fought for England's cause so true. – Loving mother, father, sister, and brothers.“MILLS. – In loving memory of J. H. Mills, accidentally drowned at sea, March 9th, 1915. The Heavenly stars shine on the grave of one we loved so dear, but could not save. – Lucy, Mabel, and Tom.“MILLS. – In affectionate remembrance of J. H. Mills, accidentally drowned at sea, March 9th, 1915. He died a hero, doing his duty for King and country. He is taken from my side, but never from my heart. – Loving fiancée, GertyAbove obituaries courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
