Private William Johnstone Milne VC in the Great War

Victoria Cross

Private William Johnstone Milne VC son of David Milne of 10 Anderson St, Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Born 21 December 1892 in Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, Scotland. A farmer, William Johnstone Milne emigrated to Canada in 1910 and farmed near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan prior to joining the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

As one of The Missing, Private William Johnstone Milne VC’s name is listed on the Vimy Memorial. However, his body lies among the Unknowns in Nine Elms Military Cemetery in Thélus, Pas-de-Calais, France, along with 39 other souls of the Scottish Regiment, killed-in-action on 9 April 1917 (Battle of Vimy Ridge).

Kipling Memorials

Why does the CWGC refuse to read the CEFSG report submitted regarding the location of Private William Johnstone Milne VC’s body? Because of their policy change, CWGC no longer erects Kipling-type Memorials in their cemeteries.

Note, the CWGC flagrantly maintains it “is committed to doing the right thing, and addressing any deficits in commemoration which are identified.” A shockingly hypocritical stance for what CEFRG considers the finest corporation in the world.

Attestation

Private William Johnstone Milne 427856 attested at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, 11 September 1915 with the 46th Battalion. He stood 5′ 6″ tall, with fair hair, blue eyes and dark brown hair.

46th Battalion

Organized in February 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hubert Snell, and later mobilized at Moose Jaw, and recruited in Moose Jaw, Regina, Weyburn, Estevan and Arcola.

A draft of 5 officers and 250 other ranks sent to England on 5 July 1915. With a smaller draft sent to England on 4 September 1915. Later, embarked from Halifax 23 October 1915 aboard SS LAPLAND and, later disembarked England 30 October 1915 with a strength of 36 officers, 1115 other ranks.

The 46th Battalion later disembarked in France 10 August 1916 with the Canadian Division, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and reinforced by 19th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

Private William Johnstone Milne later disembarked SS LAPLAND on 2 November 1915 in Devonport, England.

Aldershot

Private William Johnstone Milne admitted to Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, 25 March 1916 (VDG) and discharged later on 3 April 1916.

Readmitted (VDG) to Connaught General Hospital on 2 June 1916, and later discharged on 8 June 1916, once again forfeiting his pay for 17 days total in hospital.

16th Battalion

Private William Johnstone Milne proceeded overseas for service with the 16th Battalion on 22 June 1916, later taken on strength in the field on 30 June 1916.

The 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish Regiment) organized in Valcartier Camp in September 1914, composed of recruits from Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Hamilton. Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel R.G.E. Leckie. Then, embarked Quebec 30 September 1914 aboard SS ANDANIA, and later disembarked in England 14 October 1914, with a strength of 47 officers, 1111 other ranks.

Influenza

Private William Johnstone Milne admitted No.2 Canadian Field Ambulance, Influenza, 28 November 1916, and later reported from base on 29 November 1916, illness. Then, to No.3 Canadian Field Ambulance, 3 December 1916, and admitted to Divisional Rest Station on the same day. Finally, rejoined his unit on 19 December 1916.

Battle of Vimy Ridge

Victoria Cross Citation

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On approaching the first objective, Pte. Milne observed an enemy machine gun firing on our advancing troops. Crawling on hands and knees, he succeeded in reaching the gun, killing the crew with bombs, and capturing the gun. On the line re-forming, he again located a machine gun in the support line, and stalking this second gun as he had done the first, he succeeded in putting the crew out of action and capturing the gun. His wonderful bravery and resource on these two occasions undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades. Pte Milne was killed shortly after capturing the second gun.

Second Supplement to The London Gazette, No. 30122-5705, dated 8 June 8 1917.

Report

In July 2017 a report submitted to the CWGC presenting documentary, statistical and photographic evidence of the location (Nine Elms Military Cemetery) of 40 Missing men of the Scottish Regiment, killed-in-action on 9 April 1917. CEFRG acted as the director of the project, assisted by the late Richard Laughton of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group (CEFSG). Later, a subsequent report correctly identified the names of the 44 men registered with an initial burial site at CA40 (51b.A.10.c.9.7), and four of those men are positively identified as being buried in the CWGC cemetery named Zivy Crater.

As expected, the reports never acknowledged by the CWGC. Firstly, CEFSG suggested a Kipling Memorial raised in Nine Elms Military Cemetery to honour these men. Secondly, by tradition, a military ceremony held, whereby two members of each family invited at government expense. Initially believed by CEFRG for some time that resources would be the reason for lack of acknowledgment of the report.

Nine Elms Military Cemetery

However, approximately two years after the submission, a policy change effected regarding Kipling Memorials. Later, the category “Known to Be Buried in this Cemetery”, removed from qualification for the Kipling Memorial. In conclusion, this means a Victoria Cross recipient, and 39 of his comrades will never be properly honoured.

Known Only to God

Later in 2020, CEFRG informed Milne’s British family of the location of his grave among the Unknowns in Thelus Military Cemetery, France. The family of Private Robert Edward Bradshaw has known of his location since 2017.

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