Robert Bruce McMILLAN

Regimental number2428
Place of birthRosebank, Forbes, New South Wales
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationFarmer
AddressRosebank, Eugowra, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation33
Height5' 9"
Weight154 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs M Mc Millan, Rosebank, Eugowra, New South Wales
Previous military serviceServed in the Militia for 7 years.
Enlistment date20 July 1915
Place of enlistmentLiverpool, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name18th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/35/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 5 October 1915
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll18th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 5 October 1917
Age at death35
Age at death from cemetery records35
Place of burialTyne Cot Cemetery (Plot XXIII, Row E, Grave No. 3), Passchendaele, Belgium
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
86
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Commemorated in Eugowra Cemetery, New South Wales. Parents: Archibald and Mary McMILLAN. Native of Forbes, New South Wales
Family/military connectionsBrother: 2429 Pte Vivian Ernest McMILLAN, 18th Bn, killed in action, 5 June 1916; Nephew: 1184 Pte Roy Alexander McMILLAN, 3rd Bn, killed in action, 21 May 1915.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 18th Bn, and posted to 'A' Company, Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, 10 January 1916.

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 25 March 1916.

Wounded in action, 27 July 1916 (gun shot wound, nose); admitted to 22nd General Hospital, Camiers, 28 July 1916. Rejoined Bn, 16 August 1916.

Admitted to 38th Casualty Clearing Station, 10 November 1916; transferred to 3rd Stationary Hospital, Rouen, 12 November 1916 (trench foot). Discharged to Base Depot, Etaples, 17 November 1916; rejoined Bn, 19 November 1916.

Admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, 28 February 1917 (trench feet); transferred to 2nd Division Rest Station, 1 March 1917; rejoined Bn, 13 March 1917.

Admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, 18 March 1917 (boils, neck); transferred to 11th Stationary Hospital, Rouen, 27 March 1917; rejoined Bn, 1 August 1917.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 21 September 1917.

Killed in action, Belgium, 5 October 1917.

Report by Commanding Officer, 18th Bn, stated: 'L/Cpl McMillan was moving with his Coy (D Coy) from vicinity of Anzac House (forward of Ypres) to a position on Broodseinde Ridge on 5.10.1917. The Coy was heavily shelled on approaching the Ridge and took shelter in trenches. A shell killed L/Cpl McMillan outright. He was buried where he fell - approx. location Sheet 28 N.E.1. (Zonnebeke) D.23.c.2010.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

SourcesNAA: B2455, McMILLAN Robert Bruce