James William's Story.
EARLY LIFEJames William Millward was born in Kerridge near Macclesfield in 1898, the son of Sarah (née Shatwell) and John Millward, a stone dresser of Kerridge. John was from Plaistow, Essex.
In 1901, two-year-old James William was living with his parents and six-month-old brother James in a cottage adjoining Dawson Farm, Oak Lane, Kerridge. By 1911 the family had moved to 2 Oak Fold, Kerridge and James had three more siblings: Edwin aged 8, Fred aged 4 and Esther aged 1.
The family later moved to 36 Oak Lane, Kerridge.
WW1 SERVICE
James enlisted in Macclesfield in 1916 and served in France. He was badly wounded in the abdomen on 1st August 1918 and died from his wounds two months later on 2nd October 1918.
The death of Private Millward was reported in the Macclesfield Courier on 12 October 1918:
Mr and Mrs Millward, of Kerridge, have received news from the matron and chaplain of a hospital in France that their son, Private James Millward, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, died on October 3rd of a severe abdomen wound received in action on August 1st. Private Millward was 20 years of age, and has served for about two years. Before joining he was a big piecer at the Waterhouse Mill. He was connected with the Kerridge Wesleyan Chapel, being a teacher in the Sunday School and a member of the choir. He was also a most active member of the Bollington Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade, and did duty at Rock Bank Hospital before joining.
COMMEMORATION
Private James William Millward is buried in grave ref. III. F. 25 in Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux-St. Marc, France. His family asked for the inscription “HE IS LAID IN A HERO’S GRAVE” to be added to his gravestone.
Locally, Private James William Millward is commemorated on the Kerridge (Parish), Kerridge (Sunday School), and Bollington (Palmerston St) war memorials.
He is also remembered on his father’s gravestone in plot Y16884 in Macclesfield cemetery.
SOURCES
GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births, Marriages, Deaths
Census (England & Wales): 1901, 1911
British Army Medal Index Cards (Ancestry)
Macclesfield Courier: 12 October 1918