Private George Mills

Service Number: 21699

11th Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)

Killed in Action 7th July 1917

From the Burnley Express dated 14th July 1917:  ONE OF FOUR SOLDIER BROTHERS.  Killed while digging Platoon Officer's Grave

Unofficially the death in action is reported of Pte. George Mills (21699), King's Own Royal Lancasters, whose home address was 11, Tarleton Street, Burnley.  He was 25 years of age.  He enlisted on November 6th, 1915, and went on active service in the following April.  One of four soldier brothers, Pte. George Mills, like the other three, worked at Cooper's foundry.  He is the only one who has made the supreme sacrifice.  Of the others, Pte. Wm. Mills is a prisoner of war in Germany, and the remaining two, Ptes. Albert and Frank have both been wounded.

The unofficial intimation to the relatives, sent by his platoon sergeant T. L Jones on July 7th states: - "There wasn't a better hearted lad in the platoon.  It is very strange to say your brother met his death while digging his own platoon officer's grave.  I was just beside him when it all happened.  He never spoke a word after he was hit.  He died instantly without any suffering.  He was not marked anywhere, it was the concussion of the shell that killed him.  We shall lay him to rest by the side of his officer.  I can tell you he was one who will be greatly missed by all his comrades, for his cheeriness used to keep the other lads alive.  He was loved by everyone".

Buried in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, France:  I. B. 22