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Bridge of Weir
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GUNR WM S MILLAR R.F.A.

166911 Gunner William Simpson Millar

"C" Battery, 255th (Highland) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

killed in action 18th August 1917

aged 23


Bard Cottage Cemetery, Ypres
St. Machar's Church Memorial, Bridge of Weir
Kilbarchan Cemetery

Son of Robert Millar and Margaret Simpson
The Wheatsheaf, Bridge of Weir


His Life

William Simpson Millar was born on 6th October 1893 at Knighstwood Stables, New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire, the son of Robert Millar from Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire and Margaret Simpson from Langloan, Lanarkshire who had married in Houston, Renfrewshire on 31st December 1879. William Simpson Millar was a first cousin of Robert Millar, sharing paternal grandparents, Robert Millar and Mary Speirs who had married in Lochwinnoch in 1850.

In 1881, Robert (23), Margaret (19) and their first child Mary were living at Knightswood Farm Cottars Houses, New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire. Robert was a farm labourer.

By 1891, the Millar family of six was living in Knightswood Stables. Robert was by then a farm grieve.

In 1901, the Millar family of nine lived at Bankhead Cottage, Bridge of Weir. Robert was a carting contractor, Mary was a farm domestic servant. The children, including Willam (7) were at school unless below school age. Margaret was no longer in the family home.

In 1911, seven of the Millar family were living in a 3-roomed flat in Wheat Sheaf, Bridge of Weir. Robert was still a general carting contractor on his own account; William (17) was a coal carter, John was a milk salesman. Margaret and eldest remaining single daughter Isa minded the home. Lizzie and David were at school.

William Millar became a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery. His Medal Rolls Index Card does not record when he first joined the theatre of war, but he did not receive the 1914 or 1915 Star. He is buried in the Bard Cottage Cemetery, Ypres, in Belgium, and the timing of his death matches the advance of artillery to the northern sector of the Ypres Salient in the autumn of 1917.


Siblings

1881 Census 1891 Census 1901 Census 1911 Census Birthplace
Name Age Name Age Name Age Name Age
Mary T S10 mo Mary10Mary20Bridge of Weir
Margaret8 New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire
Jane2Jane12 New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire
Isabella3 moIsabella10Isa*20 New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire
William7William17 New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire
John4John15New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire
Lizzie2Lizzie12 New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire
1 moDavid10Bridge of Weir

Sources

TO CITE THIS PAGE: MLA style: "Bridge of Weir Memorial". Date of viewing. http://www.bridgeofweirmemorial.co.uk/profile-millarwilliam.html