Medals to the Liverpool Regiment from the Collection of Hal Giblin

Three: Lieutenant L. B. Mill, 10th (Scottish) Battalion, Liverpool Regiment, who was killed in action at the Battle of Guillemont on 9 August 1916, the same action in which Captain Noel Chavasse won his first V.C.

1914 Star (3367 Pte., 10/ L’pool. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); together with memorial plaque (Leonard Binning Mill) nearly extremely fine (4) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to the Liverpool Regiment from the Collection of Hal Giblin.

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Lieutenant Leonard Binning Mill was born born at Sefton Park, Liverpool in 1891 and educated at Liverpool College. After leaving school he joined his father’s stockbroking firm (his father was also a Director of Everton Football Club). An accomplished athlete, he was a member of both Liverpool Rugby and Liverpool Cricket Clubs. Mill joined the Liverpool Scottish when war broke out and accompanied the original contingent to France in November 1914 aboard the Maidan. He was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant on 20 June 1915, being promoted to Lieutenant on 1 October following, and was killed in action at the Battle of Guillemont on 9 August 1916, the same action in which Captain Noel Chavasse won his first V.C. whilst attached to the battalion from the R.A.M.C.

The following amusing incident, which occurred in late November 1915 is extracted from The Liverpool Scottish 1900-1919, by A. M. Gilchrist: ‘One incident occurred which was perfectly ludicrous. The Commanding Officer wished to find out if one particular crater post of the enemy’s was part of his front line or merely a sap joined to it by a communication trench. In the latter case he thought it would be an easier matter some night to surprise and capture the garrison. He accordingly detailed the scout officer, Lieutenant L. B. Mill, to go out with his Corporal and reconnoitre the position. The night chosen for the patrol was rather too clear for comfort and, thanks to a sharp frost, the ground had a thin hard crust on it and crackled loudly as the two crawled round the crater. When they got near the German line they were startled to hear a voice say “Very good indeed, but if you keep to your left you will find the going easier!” All the men in the post were standing up and watching the patrol’s progress with the greatest interest. What could one do with enemies like that? Mill and his Corporal did the only possible thing. They burst out laughing and walked back to their own trenches.’