Douglas C Millner Pvt Rangers 1915

[dorset901]

Douglas join the 12th London Regiment the Ranger in 1915, where he was wounded, and taken prisoner by the Germans in France, in 1916 he escaped via Holland back to England, where he later joined the 9th London Regiment the Queen Victoria Rifle's QVR's, he was not allowed back to the front line, and by 1917 was promoted to Sec. Lieutenant, and a full Lieutentant by the end of the War.
My search and question is how did this happen, and where can i find out about his escape. Was it normal to get promoted from a private straight to an officer?

[mmm45]

Hi
I think this is his MIC He possibly has aservice record at Kew that may have info..Though doubt it will have his escape whilst a private soldier in it.

Lots of lads were promoted from Pte to officer in the Great War especially Territorial soldiers.

Ady

[dorset901]

Thanks for this, yes have this piece of data, and have ask the PRO to change their records to show a Douglas and not Dalyas?
It still does not mention any reason for his promotion, or his escape?
Does anyone have problems with obtaining overseas death certificate's, he died in Egypt in 1942, and would like to see his cert.

[forester]

I can't see any service record for him on the TNA catalogue.
These are all the Millner officers records that are showing:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/050n/

But having just looked at his CWGC entry, he was still serving WW2 so his record would be held at the MoD anyway.

Overseas death certs are available from the GRO and there shouldn't be any problem obtaining it. Someone with access to the database should be able to give you the reference. Findmypast has the indices, I believe. Don't expect the same amount of detail as on a home cert though.

Phil

[dorset901]

His records are at the Army Heritage, but getting them is very tough, as only his cousin, and him not leaving a family, makes things much harder.
Have been sent a form called certificate of Kinship, just how do I fill that out lol, its crazy, Mothers brothers, fathers, uncles second cousin. Just plain crazy.
Have sent them a family tree, but they live and breath forms, so wont be able to understand that lol. That wasn't all they first sent me another form - an SAR. dont they just love forms?? lol.