From the November 2010 issue of the Walkern Journal with updates by Robin Mills, the son of Rev Mills
It is important to remember those who gave their lives in conflict, but also to reflect upon those who went to war and thankfully returned. The rector of St Mary’s at the time of the War Memorial dedication, Rev William Eustace Mills, was one of those brave men.
Born in 1881 in Berkshire, son of The Rev. William, R Mills of Benington, he went to Winchester school then Kings College Cambridge. Ordained as a priest in 1905, he was initially curate of Barking, Essex, before becoming Rector of Walkern from 1913 to 1921 and finally following in his father’s footsteps by becoming Rector of Benington, 1921-48. He married Everilda Louise Tindall Lucas in 1913.
He was in the French Red Cross during the 1914-18 war, serving in Salonika (Thessalonika). Greece was neutral during WW1, but Entente Forces were given permission to land troops in Thessaloniki from 1915, in order to support their Serb allies in the Macedonian Front.
The welcome home photo was not taken, as generally thought, upon Rev Mills’ return to Walkern from war. His son wrote to the Walkern Journal to say that the photo is dated 5th September 1913 in his father’s photograph album and so must have been taken when the Rev Mills and his wife first came to Walkern Rectory, after their honeymoon. They were married at St Mary’s Hitchin on 14th August 1913.