MILITARY HISTORY
Lieutenant George Noble Milburn —— ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)
George Noble Milburn completed the Officers’ Declaration Paper, Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force (CEF) [O/S] on April 1, 1916. George Noble was 29 years, 6 months and 24 days old when, as a single man, he filled out the Officers’ Declaration Paper in Peterborough, Ontario. George Noble was born in Smith Township, Peterborough County and was living at RR# 4, Peterborough; his date of birth was September 8, 1886. George Noble was 5′ 11″ tall and had a 38″ chest (expanded). His next-of-kin was his father, T. T. Milburn of RR# 4, Peterborough. He gave his professional occupation as a Contractor. George Noble’s Unit in the Active Militia was the 57th Regiment. His former Military Service was 2 years with the 101st Regiment and the Cadet Corps. George Noble’s Medical Examination was done on January 18, 1916 in Peterborough. George Noble Milburn was enlisted on March 16, 1916 with the 93rd Battalion (Bn) CEF for the duration of the War. He was assigned the Rank of Lieutenant (Lt) and embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 15, 1916. He disembarked at Liverpool on March 25, 1916.
July 15, 1916 Lt Milburn embarked the SS Empress of Britain at Halifax, Nova Scotia bound for England and disembarked at Liverpool, England July 25, 1916.
There is a gap in Lt Milburn’s File from March 25, 1916 to September 20, 1916. This period of time would have been utilized to do training in England with the 93rd Bn. September 20, 1916 Lt Milburn was posted to the General List from the 93rd Bn. On September 22, 1916 Lt Milburn was transferred from the General List to the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cdn Inf Bn) CEF and proceeded overseas (France) to the 1st Cdn Inf Bn. September 23, 1916 he was taken-on-strength to the 1st Cdn Inf Bn. On September 26, 1916 Lt Milburn reported to the 1st Bn for duty. November 19, 1916 Lt Milburn was transferred to the Divisional School in the Field. On November 26, 1916 he left the Divisional School and rejoined the 1st Cdn Inf Bn in the Field.
There is no data in his File for about 4½ months; he would have been employed with his men on the Front-Line and performing duties.
April 5, 1917 the Canadian Records Office reported from the Base that Lt Milburn died of wounds at the No 2 Canadian Field Ambulance at Rouen, France that he received in action on April 5, 1917.
There is no mention in Lieutenant George Noble Milburn’s File with regards to what Military Medals he was eligible to receive or was awarded. Based on his Military Service, he was awarded the:
British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He would have also received the CEF Class “A” War Service Badge.
George Noble Milburn’s Medals, Plaque and Scroll were dispatched to his father, Thomas T. Milburn at RR# 4, Lakefield, Ontario on February 2, 1921. His Cross of Sacrifice was dispatched to his mother, Sarah J. Milburn at RR# 4, Lakefield, Ontario on May 19, 1920.
Lieutenant George Noble Milburn served for: 4 months in Canada; 2 months in the United Kingdom; 6 months, 10 days in France and 10 days Travel Time for a total time of about 1 year, and 20 days.
Lieutenant George Noble Milburn is buried in the Ecoivres Military Cemetery; Pas-de-Calais, France. The location is as follows:
Mont St. Eloi is a village in the Department of the Pas de Calais, 8 kilometres north west of Arras. The
village stands on high ground overlooking the battlefields of Vimy and Souchez and the main Bethune
Arras road, and the ruined towers that rise from it were used as an observation post during the French attacks at Neuville St. Vaast and Givenchy in May 1915. Ecoivres is a hamlet lying at the foot of the hill, to the south west and about 1.5 kilometres from Mont St. Eloi on the Arras St. Pol line. The Ecoivres Military Cemetery is on the D49 road.
An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:
The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?
PERSONAL INFORMATION
GEORGE NOBLE MILBURN
George “Noble” Milburn was born in Smith Township on September 8, 1885, the eldest son of Thomas T. Milburn and Sarah Jane Mann. He grew up on the family farm and attended S.S. #7 Smith schoolhouse. Noble worked as a contractor. Prior to enlisting in Peterborough to serve his King and Country, Noble spent two years in the Cadet Corps with the 101st Regiment. Then he joined the 57th Regiment of the Active Militia. Noble enlisted on March 16, 1916 and he passed his medical examination in Peterborough on April 1, 1916 and was deemed fit for the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. Sadly Lieutenant George ‘Noble’ Milburn was killed in action on April 5, 1917, at Rouen, France, preceding the major assault on Vimy Ridge. He is remembered with honour in Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, Pas de Calais, France.
Sarah Jane Mann and Thomas T. Milburn and family, faithful members of the Lakefield Methodist Church, erected a plaque in the church in loving memory of their eldest son, Lieutenant George “Noble” Milburn.
THE GEORGE NOBLE MILBURN FAMILY OF LAKEFIELD
George Noble Milburn’s paternal grandparents were Thomas T. Milburn born in 1800 and Eunice Elizabeth Hutchinson born in 1817. Thomas passed away on April 3, 1866 and Eunice died on March 8, 1903; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
His maternal grandparents were James Mann III born in 1819 and Margaret Robinson born in 1818. James passed away on February 5, 1897 and Margaret died on December 9, 1914; both are buried in Little Lake Cemetery, Peterborough, ON
George Noble Milburn’s parents were Thomas T. Milburn born July 27, 1856 near Bridgenorth and Sarah Jane Mann born August 18, 1854. They married at the Mann family home in Smith Township on December 4, 1878. They farmed in Smith Township and had a family of five children: Margret Eunice; Abigail Edna; Stella Mary; George Noble and James Elmer Milburn. Thomas Milburn passed March 17, 1952 and Sarah Jane died July 27, 1940; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
