Private Norman McMillan M.M. - Royal Army Medical Corps (TF).
1st (Lowland) and 1/3 (Highland) Field Ambulance.
Military Medal (GvR) named to: 316069 Pte. N. McMillan, 1/3 High: F.A. R.A.M.C.
British War Medal named to: 316069 Pte. N. McMillan. R.A.M.C.
British Victory Medal named to: 316069 Pte. N. McMillan. R.A.M.C.
Military Medal (F&F) London Gazette, 12 March 1918.
Norman McMillan was born in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire in the last quarter of 1897, the son of Minnie (nee Clappison) and John McMillan, a Bookseller from Scotland. In the 1901 Census the family are living with Minnie's parents at West Sculcoates in Hull, although by 1914 they have moved to Scotland and are living at 600 Dalmarnock Road in Glasgow.
On 8 September 1914 Norman attested for service with the Territorial Force in Glasgow, signing-on for four year engagement with 1st (Lowland) Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C. (TF), service number 174. On attestation he lied about his age stating he was two years older, with his occupation noted as a clerk with the Garrow Shipping Line in Glasgow.
On completion of his training he initially served at the Lowland Field Ambulance Depot in Glasgow, and then spent a brief period with 3rd Scottish General Hospital. His service papers then state he served for a day with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 5 June 1915. The 1st Lowland were indeed deployed to the Mediterranean and went on to serve at Gallipoli, but further investigation reveals that Norman badly fractured his right forearm in two places on 5 June 1915, the day they were deployed.
His medical sheet records he was hospitalised in Glasgow for just over two months until 16 August 1915, when he was discharged and attached to the 1/3 (Highland) Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C. (TF) Depot.
Norman then served with the 1/3 Highland at Yorkhill War Hospital in Glasgow, where he contracted Scarlet Fever on 3 April 1917 while on duty and was transferred to Rushill Hospital for treatment. He remained in hospital at Rushill for 81 days until he was discharged back to 1/3 Highland F.A. on 25 July 1917.
In 1917 Norman signed-on for overseas service, and during the R.A.M.C. Territorial renumbering his service number changes to 316069, which falls within the allocation for 1st (Lowland) Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C. (TF).
Norman first enters the theatre of war in France and Flanders on 5 August 1917 at Boulogne, then two days later on 7 August he joined up with D Company 1/3 (Highland) Field Ambulance at Rouen, which was attached to the 51st Divisional Cyclist Company in the field.
The 51st (Highland) Division were briefly moved out of the Cambrai battlefield for rest in November 1917, but were on their way back to the line when the Germans attacked on 1 December, recapturing virtually all of the ground the British had earlier gained. The 51st arrived just in time to help stem the German attack, and it was during this action that Norman was likely awarded his Military Medal. This was later announced in the London Gazette on 12 March 1918, when he was at home on two weeks special leave after receiving his award.
Norman returned back to France on 26 March 1918, however, fifteen days later on 9 April 1918 he was wounded in the field with a gunshot wound to his face. This is clearly noted in his service records, but his medical notes contain no details of any hospital admission or treatment for his injury. This rather suggests it wasn't that serious and he was probably treated by his own medical team at the ambulance dressing station, and then later returned to his duties.
He continued to serve with 1/3 (Highland) Field Ambulance in France until shortly after the end of the war, when on 10 April 1919 he returned back to the 1st Lowland Field Ambulance Depot in Glasgow. He was then disembodied at Paisley on 14 May 1919, and was eventually discharged as a territorial soldier on 31 March 1920.
Following his eventful and distinguished war service Norman was still only 23 years old, and he remained living in Glasgow although details of his later life and employment are rather sparse. In the 1920’s he got married to Margaret Hamilton, and they lived firstly in Renfrew and then in Glasgow until the late 1950’s, when they moved to Cambeltown in Argyle and Bute. Margaret died there in 1975 aged seventy-four and was buried in Cambeltown, they don’t appear to have any children.
Norman McMillan died on 2 May 1989 in Cambeltown, he was aged ninety-one and is buried with Margaret at Putechan Cemetery.
The medals are all in gVF condition or better and come mounted with original ribbons, as worn ??
His medals come with some good documentation that includes 26 copy pages of his service and discharge records, his Medal Index Card and the BWM & VM Roll confirming his awards. Civil documents include his 1897 birth registration, the 1901 Census plus some electoral rolls for the 1940's and 50's, as well as a copy photo of his grave. Thirty-four pages in total and I can put them on a CD for the buyer as it is too much to email.
A nice rounded package to the gallant Mr McMillan.
Any questions please by all means send me an email.