The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals

Three: Private G. Mills, 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was reported missing, presumed dead following heavy bombardments and massed enemy infantry attacks between Gheluvelt and Zandvoorde on 31 October 1914 1914 Star (6940 Pte. G. Mills R. War. R.); British War and Victory Medals (6940 Pte. G. Mills. R. War. R.) good very fine (3) £200-£240 --- George Mills was born at Birmingham and resided at Newbold-on-Avon, Warwickshire. He attested for the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1899 or 1900 and served with the 2nd Battalion as part of the 22nd Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 October 1914. Mills was reported missing, presumed dead, on 31 October 1914 following the desperate clashes with the advancing Germans south east of Ypres between Gheluvelt and Zandvoorde: ‘Took part in counter-attack (29th) - held up by heavy fire and forced to dig in. Held positions under heavy bombardment. Forced to withdraw (31st) and ordered to hold new line at all costs. Charles Lethbridge Kingsford records that part of the battalion was surrounded and cut off. Battalion strength in the evening being just over 100. Trenches were under constant attacks - servants, cooks etc. being put into the line.’ (British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 by Ray Westlake refers.) The War Diary of the 22nd Brigade gives a broader context: ‘31st October 1914 - Hard fighting. The enemy’s guns opened fire about 7am and increased in intensity up until 2pm against the trenches of the 22nd Brigade and the Battalions in position in rear. many trenches became untenable for infantry, some of whom were withdrawn into the reserve trenches. About 2pm numbers of enemy infantry were seen advancing from the east, south of Gheluvelt and also in masses through the woods north of Zandvoorde. 2nd Brigade on the right of 22nd Brigade withdrew, thus uncovering the right of the 1st South Staffords who were already heavily attacked in front, the enemy worked around in rear of the South Staffords who were therefore obliged to withdraw having heavy casualties as also did the 2nd Warwicks who withdrew at the same time. 21st Brigade also retreating, a new line was occupied about 200 yards east of the Veldhoek cross roads through the G of Gheluvelt and R of Basherville River, 400 yards westwards and thence towards Kleinzillebeke.’ (22nd Brigade War Diary refers). Private George Mills was the husband of Mary Elizabeth Mills of 71 Sycomre Road, Aston, Birmingham and having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.