Name
Robert Millen
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/04/1918
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
3348
Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
34th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. ALBANS (HATFIELD ROAD) CEMETERY
Mil. H. I.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the St Albans memorials (*1)
Biography
Robert Crawford Millen was born at Maryhill, Glasgow (north-west), Scotland on 24th September, 1881 to parents Robert Lochead Millen & Jane (Jeanie) Gardner Millen (nee Crawford).
According to information provided by his widow (Sarah Millen) for the Roll of Honour, her husband came to Australia when he was 2 years old.
Robert Millen (Butcher, aged 34) & his family (wife J____, aged 31, John - aged 10, Robert – aged 7, Jeanie – aged 5 & Alex – aged 2) were passengers on Oroya which departed on 6th December, 1889 arrived in Sydney, New South Wales in January, 1890.
Robert C. Millen married Sarah Humphreys in 1909 at Waterloo, Sydney, New South Wales.
The 1910 & 1911 Sands Directories recorded Robert C. Millen, Northern Club Hotel, 583 George Street, Sydney, NSW.
The 1913 Sands Directory recorded Robert Millen, Durban Club Hotel, 3 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW.
From the New South Wales Police Gazette – 27 May, 1914:
Watches and Jewellery Reported Stolen, Missing, Etc
13th May, 1914 Robert Millen “Durban Club Hotel” Elizabeth Street, Sydney - A gent’s three-stone diamond ring, gypsy setting,
The 1915, 1916 & 1917 Sands Directories recorded Robert Millen, National Hotel, 392 George Street, Sydney, NSW.
Robert Millen was a 36 year old, married, Hotelkeeper (listed as Retired Hotel Keeper on the Attestation Papers) from 79 Woolcott St, Darlinghurst, New South Wales when he enlisted on 22nd May, 1917 with the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.). His religion was Presbyterian & his next of kin was listed as his wife – Mrs Sarah Millen, Crystal Palace Hotel, George Street, Sydney, NSW.
Private Robert Millen was posted to Recruits, Show Ground Camp, Sydney, NSW on 20th June, 1917 for recruit training. He was transferred to 1st Infantry Depot Battalion at Liverpool, Sydney, NSW on 26th June, 1917 then transferred to 8th Reinforcements of 34th Battalion.
Private Robert Millen, Service number 3348, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on HMAT Port Melbourne (A16) on 16th July, 1917 with the 34th Infantry Battalion, 8th Reinforcements & disembarked at Liverpool, England on 16th September, 1917.
Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located on the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.
Private Robert Millen was marched in to 9th Training Battalion in England from Australia on 16th September, 1917.
Private Robert Millen was written up for an Offence on 23rd September, 1917 at Durrington, Wiltshire “Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he at Check Roll Call on 23rd September, 1917 was absent from Isolation Camp.” He was awarded 14 days No. 2 Field Punishment.
Private Robert Millen reported sick to Parkhouse Hospital, Wiltshire on 10th October, 1917 with Mumps. He was discharged on 30th October, 1917 & was marched in to 9th Training Battalion on the same day.
Private Robert Millen proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 23rd January, 1918 from Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill (as listed on Statement of Service form. The Casualty Form – Active Service recorded “Fovant”), Wiltshire. He was marched in to A.I.B.D. (Australian Infantry Base Depot) at Rouelles, France on 24th January, 1918 & was marched out to Front from A.I.B.D. on 26th January, 1918. Private Millen was taken on strength of 34th Battalion in the Field on 28th January, 1918.
Private Robert Millen was wounded in action on 3rd/5th April, 1918 (dates as listed on Casualty Form – Active Service). He was admitted to 44th Field Ambulance on 4th April, 1918 & was transferred to Casualty Clearing Station. Private Millen was admitted to 9th General Hospital at Rouen, France on 5th April, 1918 with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to Thigh. He was transferred to England on 7th April, 1918 on Hospital Ship Carisbrook Castle.
34th Battalion.
The 34th Battalion was formed in January 1916 at a camp established at the Maitland showground in New South Wales. It was planned that the bulk of the battalion's recruits would be drawn from the Maitland area and thus it was dubbed "Maitland's Own". The first recruits for the 34th, however, hailed from the far north-west of the state and arrived at Maitland after joining a recruiting march that began at Walgett. These men were known as the "Wallabies"....
(Extract of Battalion information from the Australian War Memorial)
War Diary – 34th Battalion
Bois I Abbe – 3 April, 1918:
8 am - Misty and wet. Low visibility.
Our own planes flying low. No sign of enemy aircraft.
Battalion engaged in digging and wiring CACHY Switch. The enemy commenced systematic area shoots – appear to be using two batteries of 5 9. This shelling was grouped on various targets throughout the day.
10.45 pm – CACHY shelled for 1/2 an hour. E edge of wood in O34 and later the aerodrome in O2d and areas om a & c were shot up.
Another wet night.
Boise I Abbe – 4 April, 918:
8 am – Dull and grey. Very little visibility
Enemy heavily shelled O32C in vicinity of Battalion bivouac, and men were withdrawn to W edge of wood.
10 am – 34th Bn ordered to move from BOIS I ABBE to position of readiness at O 29a and b N of VILLERS BRETONNEUX
Battalion moved off in artillery formation “A” Coy on right, “B” Coy on left, “C” Coy as support, and “D” Coy as Battalion Reserve.
Enemy was heavily shelling Railway Line and main VILLERS BRETONNEUX Rd in vicinity of O 28 d. Battalion worked round through the low ground in U 28 a & C taking up position of readiness behind some terraces in O22d.
1.10 pm – Enemy subjected this area to severe bombardment. The CO Lieut Col E. E. Martin, Adjutant Lieut A.G. Farleigh and senior Coy Commander Major H. L. Wheeler, and several runners and signallers became casualties. .....
Report on operation by 34th Battalion from 12 noon 4/4/18 to 12 midnight 5/4/18. .....
Our Casualties: Killed - 4 other ranks, Wounded - 1 Officer, 17 - other ranks
(Extract of War Diary from the Australian War Memorial)
Private Robert Millen was admitted to County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St. Albans, England on 9th April, 1918 with G.S.W. Thigh (severe).
Admissions Register of County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St. Albans reads: 34th Battalion “B” Company 3348 Pte Millen, Robert 36 10/12 4 months completed with Field Force. G.S.W Thigh L / Date of death: 25-4-18 / Sick Convoy: 8-4-18 / Number of days under treatment: 18 / Ward F13 / Presbyterian / Transfer by Death.
Base Records advised Mrs S. Millen, Crystal Palace Hotel, George Street, Sydney, NSW on 17th April, 1918 that No. 3348 Private R. Millen had been wounded.
34th Battalion “B” Company 3348 Pte Millen, Robert 36 10/12 4 months completed with Field Force G.S.W Thigh L / Date of death: 25-4-18 / Sick Convoy: 8-4-18 / Number of days under treatment: 18 / Ward F13 / Presbyterian / Transfer by Death.
Base Records advised Mrs S. Millen, Crystal Palace Hotel, George Street, Sydney, NSW on 17th April, 1918 that No. 3348 Private R. Millen had been wounded.
Private Robert Millen died at 12.30 am on 25th April, 1918 at County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England from Gun shot wound of left Thigh.
A death for Robert Millen, aged 36, was registered in the June quarter, 1918 in the district of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England.
Private Robert Millen was buried at 2 pm on 29th April, 1918 in Hatfield Road Cemetery, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England – Grave No. H 1, Soldiers’ Corner Section.
From the burial report of Private Robert Millen - Coffin was good. Polished Elm. The deceased soldier was accorded a Military Funeral, Gun Carriage being supplied by the A.S.C and Firing Party and Bearers by Administrative Headquarters, A.I.F. London. A service was conducted in the Cemetery Chapel and at the graveside by a Bugler of Administrative Headquarters, A.I.F. London. Two wreaths were placed on the grave – one by relatives and one by an anonymous sympathiser. Administrative Headquarters, A.I.F. London were represented at the funeral.
Names of Relatives or Friends present at the Funeral – Father - Mr J.A. Millen, 3 Carlton Gardens, Brookstown, Glasgow, Uncle - Mr Millen, same address and Friend - Mr Jock Mills, 293 St George Road, Glasgow.
Private Robert Millen’s burial place is now recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as Plot number Mil. H. I. and he now has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.
Robert Crawford Millen requested in his Will dated 8th July, 1917, “formerly of George Street, Sydney in the State if New South Wales Hotel-keeper but now of “D” Company in the Eight Reinforcements of the Thirty-fourth Battalion Ninth Brigade of the Australian Imperial Forces I GIVE DEVISE AND BEQUEATH unto my wife SARAH MILLEN at present residing at Three Hundred and fifty Bourke Street Sydney all my real and personal estate whatsoever and where soever situate including all and every the share and interest of myself under the Will of my late father Robert Millen of Dunsandle Canterbury New Zealand AND I APPOINT my said wife Sole Executrix of this my Will...”
A War Pension was granted to Sarah Millen, Crystal Palace Hotel, George St, Sydney, widow of the late Private Robert Crawford Millen, 3348, 34th Battalion, in the sum of £2 per fortnight from 29th June, 1918.
S. Millen, Crystal Palace Hotel, 789 – 791 George Street, Sydney, NSW, wrote to Base Records on 8th September, 1919: “I am writing in reference to my late husband’s effects: 3348 Pte Robert Millen 34 Batt. who died 25 April 1918 at Napsbury St Albans England. I have called at Victoria barracks here & they advised me to write Melbourne, I would like you to give this your attention for it seems an unusual long time.”
Base Records replied to Mrs S. Millen on 11th September, 1919: “I have to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 8th September, and in reply to state no personal effects of your husband, the late No. 3348 Private R. Millen, 34th Battalion, have been received at this Office.
I regret to inform you that a package containing your husband’s property, as per attached inventory, was included in a consignment of effects shipped from England per S.S. “Barunga”, which vessel was lost at sea, with all cargo, on its way to Australia, as the result of enemy action.
No hope can be entertained of the recovery of the articles so lost, but in the event of any of deceased’s effects coming to hand at a later date they will be promptly transmitted to you.”
Private Robert Millen was entitled to British War Medal & the Victory Medal. A Memorial Scroll & Memorial Plaque were also sent to Private Milen’s widow – Mrs S. Millen, as the closest next-of-kin. (Scroll sent June, 1921 & Plaque sent October, 1922).
The Public Trust Office, Sydney, NSW wrote to Base Records on 5th January, 1928 regarding the Estate of Sarah Millen, deceased: “In connection with the administration of the Estate of the abovenamed deceased I am seeking to obtain the official Military Certificate of Death of her husband Pte Robert Millen, late No. 3348 (or 2398) 8/34th Batn A.I.F. who died of wounds on the 25th April 1918. I should therefore feel obliged if your would furnish me with the necessary certificate.”
Acknowledgments
Gareth Hughes, Jonty Wild, Cathy Sedgwick, Beth Page - https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/
