Harold J. Milne

Who was Harold J. Milne?

Major Harold James Milne, OBE, MC, DL, JP was a figure in local government in the north east of Scotland, and a recipient of the Military Cross.

Born in Fraserburgh, he was the son of a prominent local solicitor, James Milne, and Mary Tarras. He followed in his father’s footsteps taking up his training at the University of Aberdeen in 1912, but his studies were cut short in 1914 when he volunteered for the Army.

During the First World War, he rose through the ranks to become an Acting Captain in the Gordon Highlanders. During the Battle of Arras in April 1917, he received a gunshot wound to the face, almost losing his left eye. In October 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross for conducting "the advance of his company to a position in front with great gallantry and skill...showing complete indifference to danger while taking up dispositions in a heavily shelled wood".

When the war ended he returned to his hometown of Fraserburgh, being active in the Ex-Servicemens' Association, as well as other community-based organisations. He was an Elder at Fraserburgh Old Parish Church.