Sydney Albert Millar

The spelling of the surname 'Miller' later changed to 'Millar' Sydney (also Sidney) was the son of Henry James and Eliza Millar née Cattling. Henry James was born in Pimlico on 19 January 1851, the son of John and Elizabeth Miller (sic); his father was a coachman. Henry was baptised at Pimlico St Peter on 2 April 1851. Eliza Cattling was born in Acton in about 1851, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Cattlin; her father was a licensed victualler. Eliza was baptised at Acton St Mary on 26 February 1853. Henry James Miller (sic) and Eliza were married at the parish church, Acton, on 21 February 1875 (J/F/M Brentford Middx). Henry was a coachman while Eliza had no occupation. They had nine children of whom only six survived infancy: Henry James b. Brompton 27 January 1877 (J/F/M St George Hanover Square) bap. All Saints Knightsbridge 29 April 1877, Arthur John b. Belgravia 15 April 1882 (A/M/J St George Hanover Square) bap. 17 April 1882 St Paul Knightsbridge, Horace Edward b. Mayfair 3 June 1886 (J/A/S St George Hanover Square) bap. 1886 Christ Church Mayfair, Frederick Harold b. Mayfair 1888 (A/M/J St George Hanover Square), Sydney Albert b. Mayfair 1890 (A/M/J St George Hanover Square) and Alfred Charles b. Mayfair 25 October 1892 (O/N/D St George Hanover Square) bap. 8 January 1893 Christ Church Mayfair. In 1881 Henry (30) a coachman and Eliza (28) were living at 148 Crescent Mews in the district of St George Hanover Square with their son Henry (4). Also in the household was a servant, Charles T Curtis (26) whose occupation was given as second coachman. Henry was to establish a successful coachman business in the elite area of Hanover Square, London. In 1901 Henry (50) and Eliza (48) were living at 2 Back Street, again in the area of St George Hanover Square. All six of their sons were in the home on the night of the census: Henry (24) a stockbroker's clerk, Arthur (18) an ironmonger's assistant, Horace (14) an ironmonger's apprentice, and Frederick (12), Sydney (11) and Alfred (8) who were at school. Henry snr. employed four live-in servants, three stable hands and a coachman. By 1911 Henry (60) had retired as a coachman and he and Eliza were living at 6 Summerfield Avenue, Willesden. Only two of their sons were at home on the night of the census: Frederick (22) a wine merchant's clerk and Alfred (18) a stockbroker's clerk. The eldest son, Henry James (34) a stockbroker's clerk had married and he and his wife, Martha Christiana Elizabeth (32) were living at 68A Speldhurst Road, Acton Green, with their daughter Mattie Christiana (4). Horace (24), a commercial clerk, was a visitor at 36 Carden Street, Camberwell, the home of widowed Alfred Leamey, a Post Office pensioner whose daughter, Violet Isabella (25), a Post Office telegraphist, Horace was to later marry. Sydney was working as a footman at a property in Monmouth (Wales), The Hendre, which employed thirteen staff including Sydney. In the house on the night of the census was the son of the owner, John Maclean Rolls (39 b. Mayfair) single and of private means. Arthur John has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. Although his father declared on the census that he had six children living, there is a record of the death of an Arthur John Millar (b. 1882) in 1906 (O/N/D St George Hanover Square) aged 24. Sydney later left his position as footman at Monmouth and was employed at Welbeck. He was still working there when he enlisted. The probate record gives his address as 6 Summerfield-avenue, Queen’s Park, Middlesex; this was his parent's address.

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