Born: 12th November 1886 Grindon Staffordshire. (registered in Longnor LON/15/43). William started at North Road School on 15th November 1892 the family were then living at 13 Onward Cottages.
1901 Census: Living @ 20 Onward Cottages, Fairfield. Aged 16yrs.
Occupation: Errand Boy for a Chemist.
1904: Enlisted on 28th June @ Ashton-under-Lyne into the Manchester Regiment. Service number Pte 35, a very early recruit. Age 18yrs 3mths. Height just under 5ft 5ins, hair brown, eyes blue.
1905-06: Served in South Africa from 12th October 1905 – October 1906 June awarded I.G.C Badge.
1907: Discharged at own request on 11th November 1907. (on page in red requested for service in Royal Field Artillery, no date).

Williams parents were still living @ 20 Onward Cottages in the 1911 Census.

** There is some doubt surrounding William Millward, there was more than one William Millward in Buxton at the time of WW1 (3-4 altogether). I could not find this William on the 1911 Census. I have received some information that he may have emigrated to Canada & indeed he had on his service record expressed a desire to join the Canadian Forces. The 1921 Census of Canada has a William Millward, aged 35, dob corresponding to William, he was married to Mary, aged 36 and an 11 year old son, Jackson. They were living at 110 McCaul St., Toronto and he gave his occupation as ‘Soldier’. The census also says that he emigrated in 1907, which coincides with the date on the Attestation Papers you have when he was discharged from the Manchesters to join the Canadian RGA. (with thanks to Graham Conway for the further information).

**William Millward from Canada returned to Buxton in October 1921 aboard the ‘Empress of France’ disembarking at Liverpool with his wife Mary & son Jackson. In the occupation section it lists – Vulcaniser and where it asks for intended country of residence it says England.