MILNER, Benjamin
| Service Number: | 331 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen |
| Born: | Queensland, Australia, 20 July 1879 |
| Home Town: | Rockhampton, Rockhampton, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Mokari Drift, Caledon River, Naledi, Xhariep, Free State, South Africa, 27 September 1901, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Vanstadensrus Municipal Cemetery, Free State, South Africa |
| Memorials: | Anzac Square Boer War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 331 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 331, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen | |
| 6 Mar 1901: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 331, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 488 notes 5th QIB embarked at Pinkenba 6 Mar 1901 aboard Templemore arriving Port Elizabeth 1 Apr 1901. | |
| 27 Sep 1901: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 331, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 500, notes killed in action at Mokari Drift, Caledon River 27 Sep 1901. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Claude McKelvey
When Benjamin Milner enlisted in 1901 in the 5th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 16 Mar 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as his father, R. Milner, Strathcairn, Demster St, Rockhampton. In the original Nominal Roll for the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen Contingent, held by Mational Archives, it is noted his N.O.K. was his father Reuben Milner, Strathcairn, Denison St, Rockhampton.
An article in The Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton), 2 Feb 1901, noted enlistments from Rockhampton for the 5th Queensland Contingent for the South African war, which included B. Milner. Following Benjamin being K.I.A. a message of sympathy was published by the Eclipse Lodge of Oddfellows, Rockhampton, in The Morning Bulletin, 14 Oct 1901, to "Bro. R. Milliner respecting the death of his son Bro. Benjamin Milliner, who found a soldiers grave in South Africa".
Rheuben Milliner (also known as Reuben Milliner and Reuben Milner) was a member of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows in Queensland for 70+ years serving a period as Grand Master. He hailed from Coventry, England, and emigrated to Brisbane in 1860 with his parents. He married in 1877 and with his wife had a total of 6 children. He worked as a tanner in Brisbane before commencing a business as a builder in Rockhampton. Following the loss of his sight around 1914 he returned to Brisbane with his wife to reside.
Benjamin Milner was born Benjamin William Milliner on 20 Jul 1879 in Queensland, a son to Reuben Milliner and Eliza Ann Milliner (nee Deller).
(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 500; National Archives Australia- B 5172 Nominal Roll of 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen Contingent Queensland Defence Force for service in South Africa, p. 6; various newspaper articles- see links).
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