Donald McMillan Death at Dunkirk

[maggbill]

From Scotspple website I have a possible death for a Donald McMillan - However it is "Service Returns" - and does not give enough info to absolutely confirm if it is the Donald I am looking for.  Do know that my "Donald" died at Dunkirk according to family info.  So is there anyway info from Service Returns could confirm?  It says "T/99020 Pte., McMillan, Donald, age 21, born Scotland, date of death 17/6/40, At Sea, Killed in Action".   Do not know the regiment.  Any ideas anyone?

[maggbill]

P.S.  Googling date of Dunkirk gives me date 26th May to 4th June for actual Dunkirk evacuation.  So, date is obviously close.

[Albufera32]

I have a cousin lost on the SS Lancastria - date of death 17/6/40.

Not technically Dunkirk, but part of the evacuation of France. Biggest Loss of life in British Maritime history.

The loss of the Lancastria was kept secret at the time, so it is perfectly possible his death may have been explained as at Dunkirk.

[Albufera32]

From Commonwealth War Graves Commission website

McMillan, Pte Donald 99020, RASC, lost in SS Lancastria (Liverpool). 17th June 1940. Age 21. Col 141.

He is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, (col 141)

[maggbill]

Albufera32
Wow - thank you for this info.  It certainly looks like this is my Donald McMillan - though if I want to be absolutely pedantic, I would have to find something which states his parentage, and birth etc.  I have just looked at Wikiped.. and am amazed that I knew absolutely nothing of the Lancastria tragedy.  Will investigate it further - and hope even to get final verification of this Donalds' parentage etc.
Wonder if his military records might be available - even the basic info. 

[IMBER]

The Scottish National War Memorial gives his place of birth as Argyllshire:

https://www.snwm.org/roll-search/?id=243181&searchid=f2bb1494bc8db073dc1490dfc03b82a3&page=1

Imber

[maggbill]

Thanks for this Imber.
Actually my enthusiasm is turning into confusion.  This may not be my Donald McMillan.  I have searched on SP for a birth of said name, roughly around 1918 - 1922, on the understanding my Donald's family could have been Aberdeen based (though they were a Highland traveller family) - found one born 1918 in Woodside Aberdeen - "Yay" …. No, - wrong parents.  Again, details are vague - but definitely not correct. And Argyllshire? hmmm... doubtful?  Might look for birth entry for this one in Argyllshire..
Again, returning to my first step - The only definite fact I have is a Donald McMillan - died at Dunkirk - family originally around Aberdeen.... Maybe I am wrong even in accepting the SP "Services Return" death ""T/99020 Pte., McMillan, Donald, age 21, born Scotland, date of death 17/6/40, At Sea, Killed in Action" ? And yet seems like the only one! Off to search for Argyllshire birth.

[maggbill]

Oh dear,
Might have to go back to "family story" - if I can find someone still able to clarify the story.  Looks like the Donald McMillan from Argyllshire, death on the Lancastria is not mine. Birth in 1918, - Fathers name could be correct - but he is a farmer (haven't yet discovered a farmer in this branch of "Travellers") - and mothers name wrong... Hmmm... So easy to be led astray, and my McMillans are a difficult, complex family.

[IMBER]

Donald 99020 is commemorated on the Furnace War Memorial, Argyll. That's near Inveraray. There's a Donald McMillan born in 1922 in Inveraray registration district.

Imber