Company Sgt. Major David Millar Sr. 144610

David Millar was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on April 25, 1894. His family moved to Canada and settled in Toronto. David was working as a printer when he enlisted in the 42nd Regiment of the 77th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces on July 26, 1915, in Smith Falls, Ontario, at age 21. Assigned to B Company with the rank of private, after barely three months training his unit sailed to England from Halifax on S. S. California on October 23, 1915, arriving at Shorncliffe. He was transferred to the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles two days later with the rank of Lance Corporal. They embarked for France March 16th, 1916, through Le Havre. Just before the end of 1916 he was promoted to acting sergeant and was confirmed in the rank three months later. He eventually rose to the rank of Company Sergeant Major. 

The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles served in the major battles of the First World War in France and Flanders, including the Mount Sorrel, Somme, Flers-Courcelette, Ancre Heights, Arras, Vimy, Hill 70, Ypres, Passchendaele, Amiens, Scarpe, Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord, Cambrai, Valenciennes, and Sambre. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field August 9, 1917, for his actions during the battle for Vimy Ridge. 

The citation reads “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the action of April 9th, 1917, at Vimy Ridge. He accompanied his platoon in the attack to the Swischen Trench, and when his platoon commander was wounded, he took charge of the platoon, reorganising it and started the work of consolidation at once. It was largely due to the example he set of courage and coolness under heavy shell fire and flanking machine gun and rifle fire that the consolidation was so rapidly and successfully completed. He arranged his men, taking advantage of all cover available, in such a way that he saved many casualties.“

CSM Millar survived the war and returned to Canada on March 8, 1919. He was demobilized and discharged March 24, 1919, in Toronto. In addition to the Military Medal, he also received the War Service Badge, Class “A”, which was worn by members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force after their honourable discharge to indicate the veteran had served at the front lines. It bears the words “FOR SERVICE AT THE FRONT”. 

We thank him for his service.

We will remember them.