Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
Murray: John Brien, Corporal 3.3.1900 Sergeant 30.3.1901.
Burridge1: Queen's South Africa Medal WW1 Trio Major RAA killed in action Gallipoli 31.5.1915 photo.
West Australian: letter criticising Perth War Memorial design.
URL1: WW1 AIF Major 2Bde AFA died of wounds 30.5.1915 Gallipoli enlisted Perth WA.
URL2: Major MILLS John Brier.
URL3: barrister aged 44 from North Perth WA next of kin from Claremont.
B5165: MILLS J Brier previously 3rd Regt. NSW Vol. Infantry.
Source:# 658 WW1 AIF John 2FAB Major, King's 1902 Coronation Medal, Queen's South Africa Medal, Colonial Auxilliary Forces Long Service Medal, born in St. Marys South Creek NSW a barrister & solicitor from Perth WA/Broken Hill NSW/Coolgardie & Perth WA, next of kin in Claremont WA, died of wounds (exact location unknown) in Helles sector on 30.5.1915 aged 45, grave in Pink Farm cemetery.
URL5: law clerk aged ?29 from NSW.
URL7: selected for Coronation Contingent, a onetime member of literary staff of West Australian newspaper now studying for the Bar.
URL8: AN INTERESTING CAREER. FROM PRESS WORK TO WIG AND GOWN. Among those admitted to the Western Australian bar today [21.3.1905] was Mr. John Brier MILLS, who up to 1899 had spent ten years on the Broken Hill and Western Australian press. In that time he had occupied some high journalistic positions , and at the age of 25 held an important post on the Broken Hill 'Age,' a daily newspaper, on the staff of which he had previously been associated with Messrs. COLEBATCH, the associate editor of the 'Morning Herald,' and Mr. J WESTON, for years Fremantle representative of the 'Went Australian.' During his four years subsequent connection with the 'West Australian' Mr. MILLS was on engaged in reporting Parliamentary and legal matters, and it was possibly the latter duties which gave him the idea of studying for the bar. At any rate in 1899 he secured articles with Mr. RS HAYNES KC, and then began a period of hard work, to be interrupted, however, a few months later by the outbreak of war in South Africa, whence Mr MILLS went as a member of the second contingent. He was present at the fall of Pretoria, and recalls an incident of the war which possibly has not been published, General POLE-CAREW was inspecting the contingent, and congratulating them on the fact that a small body had charged a superior force of Boers at the battle of the Vet River, and taken an important position a short time previously. The general derived some amusement from the various occupations of tho troops. A 'dryblower' thoroughly puzzled him, and he inquired what the man blew. When the late Stanley REID told him he was a clergyman, the general perhaps not unnaturally asked, 'Where is your frock?'? Coming to young MILLS he was informed that the trooper was 'reading for the bar'. The General laughed, 'Surely you will not learn much law here!' 'On the contrary,' said MILLS, 'I already have learnt the charge, and I am a sergeant, and eligible for the inner bar.' Legal practitioners will enjoy this. By permission of the military authorities, Mr. MILLS sent regular letters to the 'West Australian' regarding the war, and these were recognised at the time as being of particular interest and merit. On returning to Western Australia, Mr. MILLS resumed his law studies, but these were again interrupted. The Commonwealth was sending a contingent to London to take part in the Coronation celebrations, and one member of each contingent sent by this State to South Africa was included, the selection being made on a population basis, though Western Australia had sent 1,300 men to the war. Mr. MILLS was chosen to represent the second contingent, In consequence of these absences, the Barristers' Board imposed a period of extra service on the candidate, and hut for this Mr. MILLS' application for admission would have been made in September last. As it was, Mr. MILLS went up for his final examination in November last, and passed with credit. Possibly he obtained the incentive to take up law studies from the fact that his father is a member of the Broken Hill Licensing Board and a justice of the peace for three States - Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia. In moving for Mr. MILLS' admission this morning in the Full Court, Mr. RS HAYNES KC said the admission of Mr. MILLS was a complete answer to those who held that it was difficult for legal practitioners to gain admission to the local bar. Mr. MILLS had held a leading position on the staff of the 'West Australian,' but renouncing press work, had by sheer hard work won his present position.
URL9: The detachment for the Coronation Contingent is now completed. It is made up as follows - Sergeant BULLOCK and Privates CORKHILL, MILLS, WALLIS, ARUNDEL. ALLEN and MORRISON. The uniforms to be worn by them are being made in Sydney. They will probably be sent over by the RMS Rome, the vessel by which the men will leave on Monday, the 12th inst. [12.5.1902].
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