Five: Sergeant T. B. McMillan, Manchester Regiment, later Flight Lieutenant, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was Mentioned in Despatches

1914-15 Star (9901 Sjt. B. McMillan. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (8901 C. Sjt. T. B. McMillan. Manch. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn, very fine (5) £200-£240

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1946: ‘A/Flight Lieutenant T. B. McMillan, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.’ Sold with original M.I.D. Certificate, Certificate of Good Service dated 5 January 1945, and original photograph of McMillan in uniform with his wife..

Thomas Bernard McMillan was born at Chorlton-on-Medwick, on 30 May 1893, and as he grew up preferred to be called ‘Bernard’. At the age of 17, he joined his local Territorial unit, the 8th Ardwick (T.F.) Battalion, Manchester Regiment) as a Bugler. On the outbreak of war he was mobilised as part of the 8th Ardwick Battalion and was transferred to the new Pals Brigade in XIV Platoon, “D” Company, 18th (3rd City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment. He served in France from 15 August 1915 and was wounded in the chest on 28 January 1916, and was treated in hospital at Rouen. He was afterwards transferred to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, was discharged in 1919 and placed in Class “Z” Reserve.

McMillan joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1941 and on 28 November was granted an Emergency Commission as an Acting Pilot Officer. He attended O.T.S. at R.A.F. Uxbridge, and was posted to No. 10 Barrage Balloon Centre, R.A.F. Bowlee, Middleton, Manchester, as part of No. 33 Barrage Balloon Group, headquartered at Sheffield. He was promoted to Pilot Officer in January 1942, and to temporary Flight Lieutenant in September 1942. He served subsequently with No. 970 Barrage Balloon Squadron, and then at No. No. 942/943 Barrage Balloon Squadron at Hull. He was transferred to No. 11 Barrage Balloon Centre, Pucklechurch, Bristol, as part of No. 32 Barrage Balloon Group, where he remained until Balloon Command was stood down. On 5 January he was given a certificate of good service by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Balloon Command, Air Vice-Marshal W. C. C. Gell, C.B., D.S.O., M.C., D.L.

With Balloon Command stood down, his role changed from balloons to secret intelligence. He attended the North West Signals Centre, R.A.F. Blackbrook, Haydock, Lancashire, on 12 February 1945, for a 3-day course before being posted to R.A.F. Church Green, Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, where it is noted that he was in the Administration and Special Duties Branch, and more specifically ‘Administration and Miscellaneous.’ He was mentioned in despatches in January 1946, and was sent to No. 100 Personnel Dispersal Centre in June 1946, his last day of service being 15 August 1946. He relinquished his commission on 27 July 1954, retaining the rank of Flight Lieutenant. After the death of his wife at Longsight, Manchester in April 1964, he moved to Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, where he died on 8 February 1984.

Sold with a file of comprehensive research including copied group photograph and various copied news cuttings, all saved to CD.