Born at Combpyne, near Axminster and Lyme Regis, Devon, probably in 1836.
George Mills was baptised in Combpyne parish church on the 7th of June 1836, the son of Samuel Mills, a Labourer, and his wife, Mary Anne (nee Mattocks). His parents were married on the 7th of June 1833 at Combpyne, after banns.
The witnesses were Elizabeth and Margaret Cox, all four having to make their mark, and the service was conducted by the Revd. Edward Cook.
Enlisted at Dorchester on the 4th of February 1854.
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 6".
Trade: Labourer.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Hazel eyes. Brown hair.
Lummis and Wynn record him as No. 1247.
Sent to the Cavalry Depot on the 19th of April 1854.
Joined the regiment in the Crimea on the 15th of July 1855.
Served with the detachment of the regiment under Lt. Colonel De Salis in the Expedition to Kertch on the 22nd of May 1855.
There is no entry for GM in the muster-rolls for the October-December Quarter of 1856 apart from a pencilled note at the bottom of the page showing his number, name, and "why discontinued."
Later shown as a transfer to the 2nd Battalion of the Military Train, on the 1st of January 1857. Regimental No. 204.
From Private to Corporal, 19th of June 1858.
Reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 26th of February 1859 and sentenced to 21 days' imprisonment.
Left sick at Calcutta when the regiment embarked for England in April of 1859.
[PB: I wonder how he returned to England?]
Discharged from Woolwich, on the "Reduction of the Regiment", 12th of June 1861.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol.
Mutiny medal with clasps for Lucknow and the Relief of Lucknow
Births registered
Mary Elizabeth Mills [daughter], December Quarter 1864, Axminster.
George E Mills [son], September Quarter 1866, Axminster.
Henrietta Mills [daughter], September Quarter 1869, Chard.
Sarah Jane Mills [daughter], March Quarter 1872, Chard.
Rosa Mills [daughter], June Quarter 1874, Pontypridd.
1871 Census
Coombe Farm, Crewkerne.
George Mills, 36, Groom, Coomepyne [Combpyne?], Devon.
Mary Mills, 36, Laundress, Axminster.
Mary E Mills, 6, Scholar, born Axminster.
George C Mills, 4, Scholar, born Axminster.
Hennrietta Mills, 1, born Somerset.
1881 Census
Bridgehampton, Yeovilton.
George Mills, 46, Agricultural Labourer, born Devon.
Mary Mills, 46, born Axminster.
George C Mills, 14, Ag Lab, born Axminster.
Henrietta Mills, 11, Scholar, born Crewkerne.
Sarah Jane Mills, 9, Scholar, Crewkerne.
Rosa Mills, 7, born Glamorgan.
1881 Census
[It was previously thought that this was 1274 George Mills, but there are now reasons to think otherwise e.g. inconsistent birthplace, age etc.]
The Cottage, Newton Tracy, Devonshire.
The 1881 Census shows him as a Groom (Domestic), aged 44, born at Peters Marland, Devonshire, with his wife Elizabeth, 33, born at Fremlington, Devonshire. Four children are shown, their ages ranging from 15 to 6, the three youngest being Scholars.
1891 Census
24, Reckleford, Yeovil.
George Mills, 56, Carter, born Combeniteignhead, Devon.
Mary Ann Mills, 56, born Axminster.
Sarah J Mills, 19, daughter, born Crewkerne.
[The spelling of his birthplace as "Combeniteignhead" here is odd. If it is intended to be "Combeinteighnead", this is 30 miles south-west of Combpyne/Coombepyne.]
1901 Census
63, Reckleford, Yeovil.
George Mills, 66, Corporation Labourer, born Axminster.
Mary A Mills, 66, born Axminster.
Henrietta Street, 3, granddaughter,
A visitor was also recorded.
Death registered
George Mills, aged 69, December Quarter 1903, Yeovil.
From the Army and Navy Gazette, Saturday the 9th of June 1894:
"Mr. G. Mills, of Goldcroft, Yeovil, died last week. He took part in the Balaclava Charge [sic] and was a regular attendant at the Annual Balaclava Dinner. On returning home from the Crimea he volunteered for service in India when the Mutiny broke out and was attached to the 2nd Battalion of the Military Train. He took part in the Relief of Lucknow. After 7 years' service he was discharged on the reduction of the Corps."
[PB: This date (June 1894) seems to be mistaken, and should be checked, since the Census suggests he was still alive in 1901. Moreover, Chris Poole has noted an obituary for GM in the Western Gazette, 1st of January 1904. I have not located this yet, but I have found another in the Taunton Courier & Western Advertiser from 30th of December 1903. This reads:
DEATH OF A BALACLAVA HERO
The death took place on Tuesday last of Mr. George Mills, of 5, Goldcroft, who was one of the few living survivors of the famous charge of the 600 at Balaclava. Deceased had been ailing for some time, but he only took to his bed on Sunday week.
Deceased, who was born at Combpyne, near Axminster, was 69 years of age. he enlisted in the 8th Hussars at Dorchester, and shortly afterwards, on the outbreak of the Crimean War, was ordered abroad with his Regiment. He took part in four engagements, including the charge at Balaclava, and received the Crimean medal, with bars for Sevastopol, Inkerman, Balaclava, and Alma, and also the Turkish medal.
As the regiment was returning home from the war the Indian mutiny broke out, and deceased volunteered for service, being attached to the 2nd Battalion of the Military Train. He received the medal for the mutiny with bars for the "Relief of Lucknow" and "Lucknow". After seven years and 125 days' service deceased was discharge in consequence of the reduction of the corps with a good conduct charcater.
In the many thrilling fights which took place during those wars deceased had many miraculous escapes, his horse being killed under him several times, but singularly he came through both wars without being wounded.
For several years he was without pension, but three or four years ago, through the efforts of a gentleman who interested himself on his behalf, Mills was awarded a pension of 9d. a day.
Deceased regularly attended the annual dinner to the heroes of Balaclava, the last occasion being in October, 1902.
He had lived in Yeovil for some years, and been a prminent worker in connection with the Church Army.
The funeral took place on Monday afternoon.
1911 Census
26, Reckleford, Yeovil.
Mary Ann Mills [wife], 77, widow, born Axminster.
Freda Street, 4, grand-daughter, born Yeovil.
Death registered
Mary A Mills, aged 81, March Quarter 1915, Yeovil.
Census information for 1871-1911, and registrations of births and deaths, kindly provided by Chris Poole.