ALBERT EDWARD MILLICAN 1874-1917

Albert Edward Millican was born on 22nd July 1874 in Sunderland. His father was Robert Millican who was born in Alston, just over the county border in Northumberland. His mother was Mary Ann who was born in Newcastle upon Tyne. At birth, he had two older brothers, Robert William Millican and Thomas Millican. They were joined quite soon by two more boys Alfred George Millican and Frederick James Millican. Between Robert and Thomas, another brother, John Dunn Millican was born but, sadly, he died in 1874.

The 1881 census shows the family living at 37 Rutland Street in Bishopwearmouth. Robert Millican was shown as being a grocer. They were at the same address in 1891 but, by then, it was Mary Ann who was the head of the household, her husband having died early in 1889.

By 1901, the family had moved to 22 Hawthorn Street South. Mary Ann was still the head of the household, she was 66 and seems to have retired. The two oldest boys, Robert and Thomas, had moved on. Alfred was down as a joiner and Albert and Frederick were both sea-going engineers. Albert's mother died in the spring of 1906.

Albert has not been found in the 1911 census and it is probable that he was at sea.

On 9th October 1907, Albert married Helena Jane Gardiner at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Crook. The witnesses were F. Edwin Millican, a cousin of Albert, and Evelyn Mary Gardiner, a sister of the bride. The Gardiner family lived in the village of Sunniside just to the north of Crook and how the couple came to meet is a mystery. On the marriage certificate, there was no occupation for Helena but she was a teacher. They set up home in 61 Colchester Terrace, Sunderland which remained their home until their deaths.

After Albert's death, Helena went back to teaching until shortly before she died in 1935. They seem to have been active in the community and the records show that Albert was a trustee of the Cleveland Road Methodist Church which was close to where they lived. There were no children.

Albert built his career on two strands, engineering and shipping. He began work in September 1889 with Messrs John Lyon & Co as an Apprentice Fitter. He was there until February 1896 when he moved to work for Messrs Clark & Co as a Fitter Journeyman but only until the summer of 1897.

In December 1897, he joined the crew of the Agenoria as a Third engineer.

On 13 July 1899, he gained his Certificate for Second Class Engineer and, shortly after that, he sailed as a Second Engineer on the Simonside followed in 1900 by the Birchfield.

He obtained his Certificate for First Class Engineer on 21 February 1901 and had voyages with the Holmlea (1901, 2nd engineer), Wearside (1902, 2nd & 1st engineer) Salfordia (1908, 2nd & 1st engineer). These all seemed to be sailing from the North East to ports on mainland Europe and the outgoing cargo would have been mainly coal.

War clouds were gathering and on 22 July 1912 Albert joined the crew of the Paignton as the Chief Engineer. Some 5 years later, the Paignton was intercepted by a U-boat and the description of this was: PAIGNTON, 2,017grt, defensively-armed, 14 March 1917, 40 miles NW from the Skelligs, captured by submarine, sunk by gunfire, 1 life lost. So most of the crew survived. During part of his time on the Paignton, Albert held an RNR commission. The dates were 27 January 1916 to 16 April 1917. The photograph shown later was him and there is also one with his youngest brother Frederick James Millican.

Albert went back to sea on 7 June 1917 as Chief Engineer on the Ribera but only for a few days as the vessel was sunk at sea on 10 June 1917 by an enemy submarine. So on 22 June 1917 Albert was back on shore and needed to submit an application for a certified copy of his certificates, the originals having gone down with the Ribera.

Having received his new certificates, Albert set off to sea again. The crew lists held at the National Archives show that on 30 September 1917 he signed on as the Chief Engineer on the St Olaf. It appears that the ship was engaged in European trade and often sailed out of Cardiff. The records show that the St Olaf sailed from Cardiff on 15 December 1917 with a cargo of coal for Honfleur. That was the last definitive record of either the ship or most of the crew and the records simply say 'missing, presumed sunk'. One body known to have been washed ashore was that of the ship's master, W.S Dobbing, which was found on the Scilly Isles. Dobbing, who also lived in Sunderland, is in CWGC grave in St Mary's Churchyard.

Albert left a will, which was went through probate on 28 October 1918. The will was short and simple with everything being left to Helena Jane. The executors were his brother Alfred and a family friend, George Carter.

Due to the uncertainty of his death, it is only briefly mentioned in Sunderland memorials. The date of death is usually given as 18 December but the records from a U-boat which claimed the 'kill' suggest a day or two earlier than that. But for the research which went into this story, matters might have rested there. However, an approach to the CWGC was made and was successful. Albert and those of the crew who were not previously recorded were, in October 2015, added the the list of those who died as a result of enemy action.