Sergeant Alex Milne Postmaster of Torphichen

[DudelsackHogg]

I am looking for information on a Sergeant Alex Milne Postmaster of Torphichen.

I have very little information to go on other than his name and profession.

He appears in a newspaper article describing the funeral of my grandmother’s  brother who died in a motorcycle accident in Falkirk in 1934.

The article mentions Sgt Alex Milne as the uncle of Andrew Gardiner.

I don’t see any Milne’s in the tree so it makes me question if this is indeed related to my Granny’s brother.

Andrew's parents both died in 1927 when he was 11 years old and it says:

“Our sympathy goes out fully to Sergeant Milne - his uncle, postmaster of Torphichen, with whom he stayed,  and who is greatly affected by the calamity.”

Any help in figuring out the connection would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[MonicaL]

What were the names of the parents of your grandmother and her brother Andrew?

Alexander Milne shows in Torphichen from around 1925-1940 at Waterloo Cottage, the Loan, Torphichen. Also showing as owner of shop promises there which likely included the post office too.

Monica

[DudelsackHogg]

Hi Monica,

James Gardiner and Janet Simpson Wilson.

Where did you find that information so fast?

[MonicaL]

Sorry, should have added source. Info came from the valuation rolls on Scotlands People.

I imagine you have viewed the 1934 death to confirm that the death of Andrew Gardiner matches what you now about him (such as parents' names, age etc.)?

Monica

[MonicaL]

There are certainly marriages between an Alexander Milne and a Wilson or Gardiner bride. Do you know all the sisters' names of James Gardiner and Janet Simpson Wilson? They could have married anywhere in the country.

Monica

[DudelsackHogg]

His death certificate confirms the parents and also the cause of death as motorcycle accident. The newspaper article has his age correct at 18.

I thought I had that information to hand but I only have Janet’s brothers here. I created a separate tree for the part of the family and will need to check my computer. Putting the kids to bed now, so might take me a bit.

Not used the valuation roles before, will check them. Thanks for that tip.

Thanks for all your help.

[MonicaL]

I think that is your next step. To cross check marriage on SP with names of sisters for both James and wife Janet.

But, for now, it is bedtime for your children  This will all wait!

Monica

[MonicaL]

I think I have figured out who Uncle Alexander Milne was. James Gardner's mother was Mary Berry wasn't she? She had Milne children before she married James' father, Andrew. This looks to be the family in 1891:

Andrew Gardnar 47 shore lab b. Dysart, Fife
Mary Gardnar 45 b. St Nicholas, Aberdeen    
Mary A Melne 23 Step Daur b. St Nicholas, Aberdeen
Alexr Melne 10 Step Son b. St Nicholas, Aberdeen*
Willm Melne 11 Step Son b. Dundee
Andrewina Gordne 5 Daur b. Markinch, Fife
James Gordne 3 Son b. Dundee

Address: 53 Ann St, Dundee

*Alexander Milne shows with the occupation of Light Porter, so maybe his age has been mistranscribed like part of transcript for the family's entry.

Just found the Milne family entry from 1881 in Dundee:

Mary Berry Or Milne 36
Mary Ann Berry Or Milne 14
Jemima Berry Or Milne 12    
Alexander Berry Or Milne 8    
William Berry Or Milne 2    

Monica

[MonicaL]

A maybe for Alexander and military service? www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVB5-L7P8
Added: this is the correct for entry for him. His enlistment papers from 1892 state his mother was Mary Milne. He was working as a draper when he enlisted in Dundee. These papers have his service history up to 1914.

The 1891 census location fits well with Andrew and Mary's marriage:

Andrew GARDNER and Mary BERRY
1882
282/4 177
St Andrew (Dundee)

Have you seen this marriage reg? If so, did Andrew show as a widower? What about Mary?

Monica