Sergeant Major Arthur McMillan

Another fallen Beverley war hero’s name is set to be added to the new war memorial in Hengate Gardens.

Former Beverley Mayor councillor David Elvidge has been the driving force behind the Memorial Fund, which raised money for the memorial to commemorate the town’s servicemen and women who have been killed in conflicts since World War II.

The latest servicemen set to be included on the memorial is Sergeant Major Arthur McMillan, of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, who was killed while on duty in Northern Ireland in 1972.

Arthur, one of eight children, left Longcroft School aged just 15 and left his Greenwood Avenue, Cherry Tree Estate, home to enrol in the army.

After 22 years service, Arthur, who had just returned to Northern Ireland after attending the funeral of his mother, Lilley Macmillan, was killed along with two of his colleagues by a booby trap device, which also injured five others.

To add to the tragedy of the event, Arthur and his wife had recently bought a house in Hull ahead of his imminent retirement.

Arthur’s body was carried to the cemetery gates on a gun carriage, where eight kilted Highlanders carried him to his final resting place. His comrades fired a salute over the grave and Pipe Major Joseph Kerr played a lament before a bugler sounded the last post.

1972 was the year of Bloody Sunday and tensions were high in the province, with British soldiers coming under increased attack from members of the IRA and other republican forces.

The murder of Arthur Macmillan prompted outrage in the local community. Rev James Bruce-Hannah, vicar of St Nicholas Church, Beverley, condemned the killers as “cowards and beasts”. Arthur left a widow and two children, and most of his family still live within 10 miles of Beverley.

More information about fallen soldiers is still required, in particular about L/CPL. G D BINGLEY MM, 2 Para, who was killed at Goose Green, Falklands, 1982.

Contact HU17.net if you know about Lance Corporal Bingley or any other fallen Beverley hero who should be included on the memorial.