FROM COWSHED TO MAJOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17459, 1 May 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

FROM COWSHED TO MAJOR.

ROMANCE OF A FARM HAND.

AWARDED THE D.S.O. AND D.C.M. j ■If "Admirable Crichtons" are not met ■with every day in real life, neither are | they confined to the stage and to a playwright's fantasy, as in the case of Sir James Birrie's famous butler. Here it the case of Mr. J. W. J. Millar,! for instance. Thirteen years ago he left his milking-stool at a farm near GreenttesA, ic Essex, to join the army. Now he has returned to that same farm aftei a romantic interlude, during which he climbed tc the rank of major and won the D.S.O. and the D.C.M., besides being : mentioned in despatches. In Novemb.r, 1914, he went to France as a machine-gun sergeant in tho Sherwood Foresters. He fought at Neuve Chapelle, where he was wounded three times, and won his first decoration—the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In 191b, when company-sergeant-major, he was granted a commission for services in the field, and he rapidly roße to the rank of captain. Once more he wag wounded, and subse qiiently ne earned the Distinguished Ber vice Order for bravery, while commanding a com pan}. VS hen he received his promotion to field linK he was placed in command of a bat talioii of Sherwood Foresters. Demobilised a short time ago, ho is now waiting (or his gratuitv to materialise,, then lie hopes to start a little business of hie own. Meanwhile he has returned to the farm where he worked in old days, his employer being Mr. E. S. Scliwier, who, as a private .•/dior. also fought and was wounded at No.ive Chapelle. Subsequently Mr. Schjvier (who joined up in 1914) was discharged, and he then served three years as a special constable. Modest and unassuming, Mr. Millar has a rood-humoured smile and a strong dis Inclination to talk. There is nothing in ins manner to suggest Miat he has ever been out of reach of his cows, that he has commanded men in circumstance* in which a clear brain, capable of instant decision, and a complete personal disregard for dan' p-er, were the qualities demanded. Undoubtedly an Admir-.ble Crichton in real life, he is also a fine type of the old finish yeoman stock. Mrs. Millar is entirely homely and with few interests outside the domestic affairs of her little home.