Arthur Liberty Millar

In memoriam

Captain - 4th Rifle Brigade. Only son of James Millar O.B.E., M.D, (surgeon) and Kate (née Liberty) who lived at Mapperely Road, Nottingham or moved there soon after his birth. The Libertys came from Chiltern in Buckinghamshire and owned the famous department store in Regent Street, London. Education: Nottingham High School (1897-1901); Lockers Park, Hemel Hempstead (May to December 1901) with a view to getting him to pass successfully into Rugby.  Rugby School (Jan02 – July 04). Clare College, Cambridge Civilian career: He served for three years with the North-Eastern Marine Engineering Co. at Wallsend and became a Graduate Member of the North-East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Newcastle. He then obtained an appointment in Burma (now Myanmar) with the Burma Oil Co., where he served in the Mounted Volunteers and later the Rangoon Volunteer Rifles. Military Career : He returned to England September 1914 and obtained a Commission in the 6th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Nov 14). He left for France in May 1915 being attached to the 4th Battalion. In November of that year, his division was sent to Salonika in Greece where he served until his death. He was promoted Lieutenant in April 1916, Acting Captain in November and Captain in February 1917. Death: He was killed in action at Prosenik in Macedonia (now Skotousa in Greece), on the River Struma Front on April 15th 1918. He was by then commanding the battalion's 'C' Company; it was subjected to a particularly heavy attack, outnumbered by 3-1 during an advance by the Bulgarian army on the town, the tactics of which took them by surprise and they found themselves being attacked three sides. Obituaries: His Colonel wrote, "He died commanding his Company in a very difficult position. He would not withdraw, believing that he would be able to drive back the enemy. I am exceedingly sorry to lose him, both as an Officer and also as a good comrade for nearly three years. His loss is deeply felt by us all and especially by his Company, who for many a long day will not forget his unfailing attention and care for their well-being. He was universally liked and respected." A subaltern in his regiment wrote, "I was in his Company from February, 1917, and so knew him very well. I shall always remember his great kindness and willingness to 'show me the ropes' when I first came out here. He thought the world of his Company, and his men in turn were devoted to him, and we all feel his loss very deeply." Memorials: Lockers Park School, Hemel Hempstead;    Rugby School;  Clare College, Cambridge;  St Andrew's Church, Nottingham (main War Memorial and his own plaque in the north aisle); A personal plaque in the church at The Lee, Chlltern, Buckinghamshire. The Rifle Brigade Roll of Honour in Winchester Cathedral. He is also remembered on his family's grave in Rock Cemetery, Nottingham. (Contributor CJM 51355127)

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