James Thomas Millett

War Service

“Another brave Pontefract lad has “gone home” in the grand struggle. Gunner J T Millett (27) who before the war was a surface-man at the Prince of Wales Colliery, was the only son of Mr & Mrs Thomas Millett of Crab Hill, Pontefract. He joined up “on his own” in October of 1915, trained at Winchester and, at the time of his death, on May 22nd, he had been in France 10 or 11 months and had never been wounded. He was a good son, a good pal and a good soldier. On the date named, whilst standing with his battery’s horses (he belonged to the R.G.A.), an enemy shell killed him and the horses almost instantaneously, so that he suffered little pain, if any. What his officers say of the deceased must be very comforting to the parents and his sister and others. His captain, after expressing his grief at having to send the sad news, states that the funeral was attended by the deceased’s comrades, the service being taken by a Church of England clergyman and a cross is being erected. All the officers and men of the battery are indeed sorry. The deceased was very popular with all of them and could always be relied upon to do his best. His loss is great to them. The Second Lieutenant observes that the deceased was very quiet and trustworthy, very fond of the horses. There is quite a gloom over the men – he was one of the most popular of them. The officer closes “Who fights for justice, fights for Christ”.”
Extract taken from the Pontefract and Castleford Express 15.6.1917.
He is buried at Cojeul British Cemetery, St Martin sur Cojeul.

Cojeul British Cemetery, St Martin sur Cojeul