Summary
36621 Private Joseph Million, 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry died of pneumonia 17 March 1917 and is buried in Varennes Military Cemetery, France.[1] He was 27 years old and is commemorated on Evenwood War Memorial and the Roll of Honour, St. Paul’s Church, Evenwood.
Family Details
Joseph was born 1890 [2] in Evenwood to Richard and Mary Million. There were 8 children:
- Sarah bc. 1876 at Evenwood
- Dinah bc. 1880 at Evenwood
- Margaret A. bc.1882 at Evenwood
- John bc.1885 at Evenwood
- Mary J. bc.1888 at Evenwood
- Joseph bc.1890 at Evenwood
- William Hamilton bc.1892 at West Auckland
- Thomas bc.1898 at Evenwood
In 1901, Joseph’s father 51 year old Richard worked as a coal miner (hewer) and his 16 year old brother John was a coal miner (driver). By 1911, the Million family lived at Chapel Street and Richard worked as a coal miner (shifter), John was a hewer, 20 year old Joseph was a colliery labourer and 19 year old William was a shifter.[3] By 1916, the Million family lived at 4 South View, Evenwood.
27 January 1917: Joseph married Ellen Mary Smurthwaite. A son, Harold (Smurthwaite) was born 14 December 1916. At this time, Ellen lived at the “Wheatsheaf Inn, Staindrop. [4]
Military Details
22 February 1916: John Million attested aged 25 years and 5 months at Bishop Auckland joining the Durham Light Infantry and being given the regimental number 36621.[5]
20 February 1917: Private J. Million entered for France being posted to 11/DLI.
11 March 1917: Transferred to 18/DLI .[6]
The 18th (Service) Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry was formed in Durham in September 1914 and came under the orders of 93rd Brigade, 31st Division and arrived in France in March 1916.[7] The 93rd Brigade comprised the following units:[8]
- 15th Bn., the West Yorkshire Regiment (1st Leeds Pals)
- 16th Bn., the West Yorkshire Regiment (1st Bradford Pals)
- 18th Bn., the West Yorkshire Regiment (2nd Bradford Pals)
- 18th Bn., the Durham Light Infantry (Durham Pals)
- 93rd Machine Gun Company joined May 1916
- 93rd Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1916
1917: Trench Warfare
The Battle of the Somme may have been abandoned in November 1916 but trench warfare continued unabated. [9] Private J. Million did not join 18/DLI until 11 March 1917. He may not have seen action with the battalion. Prior to 11 March, he served with 11/DLI which was a Pioneer Battalion working in the Ginchy – Lesboeufs area of the Somme, under the usual violence of warfare.[10] Reports from October 1916 to March 1917 clearly indicate the miserable conditions the troops had to endure. Illness in the trenches was rife and flu laid low many soldiers:
“The misery of the men was compounded by the inevitable outbreaks of flu, respiratory infections, gas gangrene – caused by bacteria from the faecal matter in the soil – dysentery and trench foot, though some welcomed even that horrific condition, often accompanied by the loss of several toes, as a way out of the nightmare of mud and earth.” [11]
It is assumed that Private J. Million was working in such wet and dangerous conditions.
17 March 1917: Within 30 days of landing in France and within a week of joining 18/DLI, he had died from “Lobar Pneumonia” at 11 Casualty Clearing Station [CCS]. [12]
Private Joseph Million was admitted to the CCS with breathlessness and right sided chest pain. He was also found to have bronchial breathing. These are classical signs of a lung infection. Unfortunately, due to the lack of antibiotics he succumbed to the infection. It appears from the report that shortly after admission he became cyanosed (turned blue due to lack of oxygen from lung failure) and died shortly after. Clearly the infection must have been quite severe and advanced for this to have happened. A poor immune system due to malnourishment would have contributed to this sad demise. The report gives a time of death as 10.30am but it is not clear how long he had been in hospital. It also states that the infection is as a result of exposure. However, the last words of the report cannot be deciphered. [13]
Private J. Million served a total of 1 year and 24 days, 30 in France:[14]
- Home: 22/02/1916 to 15/02/1917 (359 days)
- France: 16/02/1917 to 17/03/1917 (30 days)
He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.[15]
Report of his Death
The Evenwood Parish Magazine reported as follows: [16]
“Lastly, I have to record the death on active service of 2 more of our local young men viz. Pte. J. Walling whose people live at Oaks House and Pte. J. Million of South View. The former died of wounds and the latter from pneumonia contracted in the trenches. It is hard and well nigh impossible for one to express one’s feelings in words on the subject of these sacrifices.”
In July 1917, the personal effects of Private Joseph Million were forwarded to his wife Ellen who was living at the “Wheatsheaf Inn” at Staindrop. They consisted of:
“Correspondence, photos, religious cross and book, pair of gloves, bracelets, metal cigarette case, locket and chain, razor in case, gold ring, metal watch, 2 keys, belt, knife, 2 discs.” [17]
A pension was awarded to Ellen and her child which took effect from 15 October 1917.[18] The commemorative plaque and scroll was forwarded to her some time later. In late 1918, she remarried and was now called Mrs. Jepson [19] and lived at Mill Wynd, Staindrop.
Burial
Private J. Million is buried at grave reference I.J.39 Varennes Military Cemetery. It was laid out by the 39th Casualty Clearing Station in August 1916 following the Battle of the Somme and then used by the 4th, 11th and 47th Casualty Clearing Stations. There are 1,219 burials.[20]
Commemorations
Private Joseph Million is commemorated on Evenwood War Memorial and the Roll of Honour, St. Paul’s Church, Evenwood.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ray Million, Newton Aycliffe.
REFERENCES
[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission
[2] England & Wales Birth Index 1837-1915 Vol.10a p.229 1890 Q4
[3] 1911 Census
[4] Army Form B.2512:
[5] Army Form B.2512: Short Service
[6] Army Form B.103 Casualty Form – Active Service
[7] http://www.1914-1918.net/dli.htm
[8] http://www.1914-1918.net/31div.htm
[9] “The Durham Forces in the Field 1914 – 1918: The Service Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry” Captain W. Miles 1920 p.119-121
[10] “The 11th Durham Light Infantry: In Their Own Names” M. Bashforth 2011 p.128
[11] Hanson p.229
[12] Army Form B.103 Casualty Form – Active Service & Army Form B.2090A Field Service
[13] Army Form I.1237 Medical Case Sheet, comments by Dr. J. Said [Evenwood]
[14] Military History Sheet
[15] Medal Roll
[16] Evenwood Parish Magazine April 1917
[17] Army Form B.104-126
[18] Widows Form 3
[19] England & Wales Marriage Index 1916-2005 Vol.10a p.211 Teesdale 1918 Q4
[20] CWGC
EVENWOOD RAMSHAW & DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY 