Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

John was born in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1894 to parents William, a gamekeeper and Mary (nee Hulme).  In 1901, John Willie (7) was living at Mid-Murray, East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, Scotland with his parents and siblings George Henry (8), James (5) and Mary Jane (1).

John, aged 22 and a grocer by trade, enlisted on 1 May 1916 and gave his address as C/o W Mair, 8 Octavia Street, Port Glasgow.  John had half a dozen entries on his conduct sheet, one of which was overstaying his pass by 19 hours until 5.00pm on 8 September 1916. Private John Willie Milligan passed through Peterborough East Station on 7 September 1916.  He was serving with 2/4^th C Company Cameron Highlanders and was stationed at Kelling Heath, Holt, Norfolk.

John served in France on two occasions from January to April 1917 and again from September 1917 to April 1918.  He was wounded in action on 23 March 1918, suffering a gunshot wound to his right foot.  His wound was assessed as 40% disablement and he was awarded a pension of eleven-shillings per week from 5 February 1919.  John was awarded the British War and Allied Victory medals.

John’s younger brother James died on 29 March 1917, aged 22, whilst serving with the Royal Field Artillery in County Kildare, Ireland.  He is buried at Curragh Military Cemetery.

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