MILNER, Joseph Thomas
| Service Numbers: | 113, Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | 11th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Quarrindi, New South Wales, Australia, 3 May 1881 |
| Home Town: | Northam, Northam, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Maitland Public and High Schools, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Station Manager |
| Died: | Tuberculosis , Wooroloo, Western Australia, 18 November 1918, aged 37 years |
| Cemetery: |
Northam Cemetery CE E 10 |
| Memorials: | Northam Fallen, Northam Memorial Hospital |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Corporal, 113, New South Wales Imperial Bushmen |
|---|
World War 1 Service
| 12 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Captain, Officer, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Oct 1915: | Involvement Captain, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Oct 1915: | Embarked Captain, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Fremantle | |
| 18 Nov 1918: | Involvement Major, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 11 Battalion awm_rank: Major awm_died_date: 1918-11-18 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Emily and James MILNER
DEATH OF MAJOR MILNER.
A PROMINENT SOLDIER.
A man who achieved prominence both in civil and military life passed away at Wooroloo on Monday in the person of Major Joseph Thomas Milner. Major Milner was a New South Welshman, being born in the Quirindi district in 1881. At the time of the Boer War he volunteered for service, and held the distinction of being the youngest non-commissiond officer who left New South Wales for South Africa. He served in various engagements, receiving the Queen's medal and five clasps, and was promoted through the non-commissioned ranks to regimental quartermaster-sergeant, following a term of three years in the Government service in South Africa, after the war, he returned to Australia in 1904, and after a short stay in the east came to this State and entered into the butchering trade in. the Murchison. Subsequently he settled in Northam, and there established a butchering business. He took an active interest in local affairs, and was a member of the municipal council. Soon after the outbreak of the war he enlisted and sailed with reinforcements for the 11th Battalion, which unit he joined after Gallipoli . He speedily obtained his majority, and served at the Suez Canal until March, 1916, with his battalion, then proceeding, with it to France. He was in the trenches in the Fleurbaix sector from April to July, 1916, and was a participant in raids on the enemy trenches. Subsequently he accompanied his battalion to the Somme, and was seriously wounded in the attack at Pozieres. A long period in hospital in France and England culminated in his return to Australia in 1917. During his subsequent sojourn here, he was magistrate for military pensions, and was a very active member of the Returned Soldiers Association, to the executive of which he belonged, and he displayed a keen interest in all matters affecting returned soldiers. Major Milner's ill-health, however, compelled relinquishment of his work, and about two months ago it became necessary for him to go to Wooroloo where he died on Monday. As an officer Major Milner was popular and capable. He was married in 1910 to May, daughter of Mr. Donald Mackenzie, of Northam.
Joseph's wife May MILNER died on 30th December 1923 leaving the two orphaned children who were put into the care of their Aunt, Mrs. J T Duggan.
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