Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Mrs. R MILLAN, Shennington, Wigstonshire, Scotland

Alexander Millan (61), a waterside worker, was found dead about 9.45 o'clock yesterday morning, near the Harbor Board cold storage works, at the back  of the wharves. It is suspected that he died as the result of lysol poisoning. Mr. Millan was last see alive about 10 o'clock the previous night.

Death from Lysol Poisoning.
At the conclusion of the inquest into the cause of death of a waterside worker. Alexander Millan, yesterday morning the Coroner (Mr. A. H. O'Kelly) found  that death was caused by lysol poisoning. The doctor's certificate was tendered by Constable Carseldine who had previously given evidence. The inquest  was then closed.

Alexander Millan served twice in the South African (Boer) War. First service was as a Private S.N. 131, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry. Second service was as a Corporal rising to Sergeant S.N. 1917, 3rd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse.

When he first enlisted in 1899 in the 1st QMI and his details were published with the rank and file in The Brisbane Courier, 18 Nov 1899, he was recorded as Private A. Millan, single, Pittsworth. He served the full tour of the 1st QMI returning to Brisbane where he was discharged 23 Jan 1901.

Almost immediately he enlisted again in the 3rd BACH and on his Attestation Paper, dated 11 Feb 1901, it was noted that; he was born at the parish of Bradford, Somersetshire, England, and he was 31 years 6 months of age; he had been in Queensland 11 years, was single and a gardener living at Rockhampton; his N.O.K. was his mother Mrs. R. Millan, Wigtownshire, Scotland; and he had previously served with the 1st QMI. He served the full tour of the 3rd BACH returning on the infamous voyage on the Drayton Grange finally arriving in Brisbane for discharge on 19 Aug 1902.

He was living in Cairns working as a waterside worker when he passed in 1931 as a result of suicide. His death was subject of a coroner's inquest as reported in several North Queensland newspapers including The Townsville Daily Bulletin.

Cairns Notes- The Townsville Daily Bulletin, 2 Jul 1931, p. 3.

Alexander Millan, wharf labourer, who suffered it is stated, since the Boer War with a bad leg which would not properly heal up was apparently tired of life. The opinion held by witnesses in the Coroner's Court today before Mr. H. A. O'Kelly, was that deceased met his death by having drank lysol. Robert Thornley, employed by Howard Smith Ltd. on the waterfront stated he knew Millan had suffered from a bad leg for a long time and had been in the District Hospital a good deal during the last twelve months. Witness found Millan dead on the morning of 19th June lying near the cold storage shed at the rear of the wharf. Alongside him was a china cup which contained a quantity of fluid which witness had no doubt was lysol. He never looked upon deceased as a man who would take his life. William John Barker, a wharf labourer, stated in evidence that on the 18th June, Millan was at his camp and said to witness, "Is that hook of mine still here"? (meaning the wharf hook). "Yes, Alek, it is still here." Deceased said, "Well hang on to it, I may never see it again." Deceased appeared to be under the influence of drink at the time. About 5 o'clock the next morning witness had occasion to get out of bed, and he noticed that Millan was missing from his bunk. About 9.45 am the same day he was told Millan was found dead. Witness knew deceased suffered from a bad leg which deceased told witness was due to a wound he sustained in the Boer War, which had never healed up properly, Deceased had never intimated to him that he had any intention of taking his life. John Concannon, wardsmen at the Hospital, stated in the course of his duties he had spoken to Millan many times, but deceased never appeared to be a man with suicidal tendencies. Constable H. J. Carseldine who made investigations into deceased's death stated that he was of the opinion that deceased took his own life through having taken lysol. The inquest was adjourned sine die.

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 452 and 527; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossiers 1st and 2nd services; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 1st QMI, Bk 1 p. 79).