Bridge of Weir
Memorial

GUNR W^M 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

Sources

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• Scottish National War Memorial
• William Simpson Millar birth certificate, 6th Oct 1893. Regd. New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire 26th Oct 1893.
• 1881 UK Census: Parish: New Kilpatrick; ED:9; Page:3; Line:15; Roll: cssct1881_146.
• 1891 UK Census: Parish: New Kilpatrick; ED:9; Page:19; Line:10; Roll: CSSCT1891_161.
• 1901 UK Census: Parish: Houston; ED:1; Page:11; Line:24; Roll: CSSCT1901_188.
• 1911 UK Census:Parish: : Houston West: page 17: lines 27-33; 559/0B 001/00 017.
• Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette
  o 23rd August 1919 - IN MEMORIAM: In memory of Gunner William Simpson Millar, Royal Field Artillery, killed in action 18th August 1917; buried at Bard Cottage, Boesinghe, North of Ypres. Son of Mr & Mrs R Millar, Wheatsheaf, Bridge of Weir.
  When my heart is sore,
  I seem to hear him say;
  "Don't weep, dear Mother,
  We shall meet again some day."
  Sleep on, dear son, in a far off grave,
  In a grave I wish to see;
  But as long as life and memory lasts
  We shall remember thee.
  Inserted by his Father and Mother.
• St Machar's Church of Scotland Death and Interment Register:
  o Millar, William Simpson; Gunner R.F.A.; Wheat Sheaf; Killed in Action 18th Aug 1917; aged 21.
• Kilbarchan Cemetery Monumental Inscription:
  o MILLAR. In memory of ROBERT MILLAR Wheatsheaf, Bridge of Weir died 22nd July 1923 aged 65 years his wife MARGARET SIMPSON died 20th Nov. 1936 aged 75 years their son WILLIAM SIMPSON killed in action at Ypres 18th Aug. 1917 aged 23 years.
• Medals: Victory, British War.

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