James Ernest Millott

James Ernest was the eldest son of James and Sarah Ann Millott (née Newton). His father James was born in Thoresby, Nottinghamshire, in 1873 (J/F/M Southwell), the son of James, a stonemason, and Tamar Charlotte Millott of Thoresby Park. He was baptised at Perlethorpe St John the Baptist on 16 February 1873. By 1881 the Millott family was living on Newcastle Street, Mansfield. His mother Sarah Ann was born in Mansfield in 1874 (J/F/M Mansfield), the daughter of James and Mary Newton. In 1891 the family was living on West Gate, Mansfield; Sarah (17) was a dressmaker. James and Sarah Ann were married at Mansfield St John the Evangelist on 1 October 1892 (O/N/D Mansfield). They had nine children of whom seven were still living in 1911. Eight children have been traced, one of whom died in childhood: Ellen Tamar b. 19 March 1893 (J/F/M Mansfield), James Ernest birth registered 1894 (J/F/M Mansfield), Edith birth registered 1896 (J/F/M Mansfield), Agnes Mary b. 18 August 1897 (J/A/S Mansfield), Dorothy Kate b. 1898 (O/N/D Mansfield) d. 1905 (J/F/M Mansfield), Lillian Irene b. 8 May 1903 (A/M/J Mansfield), Phyllis Maud b. 13 April 1906 (A/M/J Mansfield) and Frederick Arthur b. 1909 (O/N/D Mansfield). All the children were born in Mansfield. In 1901 James (28), a painter and house decorator, and Sarah (27) were living at 65 Wood Street, Mansfield, with four of their five children: Ellen (8), Edith (5), Agnes (3) and Dorothy (2). On the night of the census James (7) was in the home of his maternal grandparents, James and Mary Newton, at 95 West Gate, Mansfield. Dorothy Kate died four years later in 1905 and the children's mother, Sarah Ann, died in 1910 (J/A/S Mansfield). By 1911 the widowed James (38), a master painter, was living at 89 Westgate, Mansfield, with his seven surviving children: Ellen (18) who was housekeeper to the family, James (18) a painter's assistant, Edith (15) a shop assistant, Agnes (13) a nurse girl, Lillian (7), Phyllis (4) and Frederick (1). Edith died in 1916 (A/M/J Mansfield) aged 20. At the time he enlisted James was living at 32 Chaucer Street, Mansfield. Mary Curtis, of the same address, was his legatee. (See 'Extra information'). Mary Jane was born in 1896 (O/N/D Mansfield), the daughter of William and Harriett Curtis. 1n 1911 the Curtis family was living at 32 Chaucer Street, Mansfield; William had confectionary stalls on the market and Mary (14) assisted him. She has not yet been traced after 1918. By 1918 James snr. was living at 75 Ratcliffe Gate, Mansfield, and was still living at this address when he died on 21 July 1933 (J/A/S Mansfield). George Robert Millott, an ironmonger - probably his older brother - was awarded probate. Of James Ernest's surviving siblings: Ellen Tamar married Harry Sherratt, of Biddulph, Staffordshire, in 1914 (A/M/J Leek Staffs). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living at Craigside, Biddulph. Harry (b. 6 June 1890) was a caretaker (public office). Also in the household were Thomas J Sherratt (b. 21 November 1914) a baker's assistant, Ernest Sherratt (b. 1 August 1918) a bricklayer, Ronald Sherratt (b. 19 January 1924) an apprentice motor fitter, Harvey (-) b. 18 May 1926, Ellen Sherratt (b. 11 June 1928) and Frank E Sherratt (b. 1 November 1930); two records remain closed. Ellen died on 18 November 1961 aged 68 and was buried in the Sherratt family grave in Biddulph St Lawrence churchyard. Her husband Harry died on 27 March 1975 and was also buried in the family grave. Agnes Mary married William Newton at Biddulph St Lawrence in 1919 (J/F/M Leek Staffs). In 1939 she was recorded living in Stafford, housekeeper to a medical practitioner. Also in the household was her daughter, Doris M Newton later Brassington (b. 10 May 1919). Lillian Irene married Harold Hawkins in 1934 (J/A/S Mansfield). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living on Albert Street, Mansfield Woodhouse; Harold (b. 6 November 1906) was a colliery hewer. Two other occupants were recorded in the home, one record remains closed but the other was Francis J Hawkins b. 2 January 1936. Lillian died in 1983 (A/M/J Mansfield). Phyllis Maud married Mark Walters in 1934 (A/M/J Mansfield). In 1939 they were living on Thorpe Close, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire. Mark (b. 19 March 1907) was a stone ordnance general labourer. There was one other person in the household; the record remains closed. Phyllis died in 1980 (J/A/S Basford). Frederick Arthur has not yet been traced after 1911.

In 1911 he was a painter's assistant, probably working for his father

32 Chaucer Street, Mansfield. Enlisted Mansfield.

271st Company Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) formerly 1640 Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). Sgt James Millott was in theatre from 26 August 1915; the medal record does not give which theatre in which he first served but at the time of his death in 1918 James was with the Machine Gun Corps in Egypt. James drowned on 17 April 1918 after getting into difficulties while bathing in Lake Timsah. Ismailia. He was buried in Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

His cousin, Charles George Millott, the son of his father's older brother George Robert, served in the 9th Bn Sherwood Foresters (70814 Corporal) and was killed in action on 23 July 1917 (La Belle Alliance Cemetery, Ypres). Mansfield Reporter, 14 June 1918: ‘Mansfield Tribunal. Last Night’s Sitting. The following cases were heard privately ... James Millott (45) 75, Ratcliffe-gate, painter. Exemption till September 30th.’ CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'To-day is ours the future God's always lovingly remembered by Mary' [Mary Curtis] Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Mary Curtis was his sole legatee Article published on 31st May 1918 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times :- “SERGT. J. E. MILLOTT, MANSFIELD, DROWNED IN EGYPT. “Sergeant J. E. Millott, who resided at 32, Chaucer-street, Mansfield, prior to joining the army, was drowned whilst bathing in Egypt, we regret to state. Miss Curtis, of the address stated, has received the following letters: – “271st M.G. Coy., E.E.F., “19th April, 1918. “Dear Madam, – It is with profound regreat [sic] that I have to inform you of the death of No. 46554, Sergt. Millott, J. E., on the 17th inst. Along with the remainder of the E Company he was bathing in Lake Timsah, and got into difficulties. Every possible effort was made to save him but without success. His body however was recovered, and is being buried to-day. It was a very sad blow to us all, and I trust you may be given strength to bear your sorrow. Sergt. Millott was an excellent soldier and a very keen sportsman, and thought a great deal of in in the Company. On behalf of the Commanding Officer, officers, N.C.O.'s and men, I wish to express our deep sympathy. – Yours sincerely, “D. G. WALSH, Lieut., “2nd in Command 271st M.G. Coy. “April 22nd, 1918. “Dear Miss Curtis, – It is with very great sorrow that we have to inform you of the death of 46554 Sergt. J. E. Millott, of 271st Machine Gun Company. As you will have heard from other letters, he was accidentally drowned while bathing, although every effort was made to rescue him. Everyone was terribly upset by the news, as Sergt. Millott was universally liked and respected by everyone in the company, and he will be greatly missed in more ways than one. I have only lately joined this Division so I haven't had much opportunity of getting to know him, but I am giving you the testimony of his friends – officers and men alike. It is specially sad that he should have met with this accident, as he was, by all accounts, a splendid athlete, but these things are not altogether in our hands. May the “God of all comfort,” strengthen you to bear your loss bravely as he would wish, and may you remember that as Christians we are told not to grieve too much for “those who sleep in Him.” He is in safe keeping, and it is or us who remain to make ourselves worth – in God's own time – to rejoin those who have gone before. Sergt. Millott was drowned on the 17th inst., and we laid his body to rest on Friday last, the 19th of April, in the public cemetery at Ismailia, in Egypt. The funeral was a very impressive one, as the whole Company were present to do the sergeant the “last honours.” The cemetery is a very beautiful one, and the grave lies amongst the graves of other British soldiers who have laid down their lives for their country. If it shall be at all possible, I will try to have a photograph taken of the grave, and send you a copy. Assuring you of the deepest sympathy of all in your sad loss, yours sincerely, “PHILIP A. STEWART, C.F., “(Chaplain), 3rd Division, “Egyptian Expedy. Force. “P.S. – You have probably been told that our Division had just been moved to the E.E.F. – in the other letters.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918