Milner, John | Universities at War

Personal details

Name on Memorial:

Milner, J.

Forename(s):

John

Surname:

Milner

Date of Death:

Wednesday, April 26, 1916

Age at Death:

University life

College:

Armstrong College, Newcastle upon Tyne

Staff or Student:

Student

Degree(s):

BSc (1911)

Military Service

The information displayed here is at the time of death.

Rank:

Lieutenant

Service:

Air

Unit:

Royal Flying Corps, 1st Wing, 10th Squadron

Prisoner of War:

Military Training:

Officers’ Training Corps, Armstrong College

Theatre of War:

France and Flanders

Biography

John was the son of Jane Ann and Thomas Milner. He was educated at Darlington Grammar School and studied at Armstrong College between 1908 and 1911 and obtained a BSc. in June 1911.

John was employed by Surrey County Council before his military service and the letter which is displayed above was found with the insrance records held by Surrey History Centre. The Council held insurance policies for all of its Education staff and the documentation relating to claims for staff killed in action. The file relating to John Milner contains this transcript of a letter written by the pilot of the plane in which John died.

John was commissioned from the University Officers' Training Corps to the Durham Light Infantry and was linked to the 3rd and 4th Battalions, serving in France from 1915 to 1916. On 21st March 1916 he was commissioned as Flying Officer (Observer) in the Royal Flying Corps. While serving as an Observer for artillery support over Fromelles in Northern France, ahead of the Battle of Fromelles, John was killed by anti-aircraft fire on 26th April 1916 aged 26.

Addresses before and during the war

87 Park Place, Darlington, Durham (place of residence as entered in the 1911 census)

Memorials

Other Memorials:

John is commemorated on a plaque for former pupils of Darlington Grammar School, which now resides in Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington.

Additional images