Private John McMillan
John McMillan was born on 24 September 1889 at 24 Alloa Street, Belfast, the fifth of seven children of storekeeper William McMillan and his wife Agnes (née Russell). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Orlock House, Old Cavehill Road, Belfast, with his parents and three of his five surviving siblings, and working as an apprentice linen lapper.
McMillan enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 26 May 1915 (No.1625). While in training, however, he fell ill with myalgia. On 3 July 1915 he was admitted to hospital, first in Belfast then Holywood, where he remained until 9 August.
A medical board found that McMillan was unfit for service at home or abroad due to chronic rheumatism and anaemia, unrelated to his military service. On 23 August 1915 he was discharged, being 'not likely to become an efficient soldier' (paragraph 392 (iii), King's Regulations). His military character was recorded as 'very good'.
Following his discharge McMillan returned to his family in Belfast and his employment as a linen lapper. On 19 November 1915 he married Lucy Shaw in the Bloomfield Independent Church, Holywood. He died at his son's residence, 55 Cumberland Park, Belfast, on 30 October 1962, and was buried in the Dundonald Cemetery.