THE ROCHDALE TIMES - Wednesday 6 September 1916 NEWHAY SOLDIERS FATE Lance Corporal JAMES ELMER MILLS, of the Lancashire Fusiliers and formerly residing at 9 Broom St, Newhay, was reported missing after the big advance on 1 Jul, but now there seems to be no doubt that he was killed in action, for his mother has received the following letter from Lance Corporal C E Gray, of the York and Lancaster Regiment, under dated 26 Aug: “I am sorry to be the writer of bad news, but I think that it is always best to know the truth. Whilst out in between our trench and the enemy’s last night, the 25th, I came across the body of one who I think is your son. The name and number in the pay book, which I took, are Number 29368 L/Cpl J E Mills 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers 'A' Company and he enlisted on 10 Dec 1915. L/Cpl Wardley and I buried him, and I shall only be too willing to give you any further particulars if in my power to do so. My regiment is the -- Battalion (York and Lancaster) I have one of the emblems off his epaulette, which I will forward to you at the first opportunity, and also full particulars as to where we buried him. Will close with my deepest sympathy in your loss, but he died going into the advance.” Lance Corporal JE Mills was 23 years of age, and prior to enlisting in December 1915, was employed as a joiner minder at the Butterworth Hall Spinning Co.’s mill, Milnrow. He was connected with the Newhay Primitive Methodist Chapel and Sunday school, and was a member of the Newhay Liberal club.

Graham Mills