BackHenry John Mills Memorial
Henry John Mills was born in Bootham, York in 1848.
In the 1881 census he is listed as living at home in Bootham with his mother and sister off private means. His future wife, Anna M Higgins, is a visitor in the home. The household consists of six servants (Lady's Maid, Cook, Kitchen Maid, Upper Housemaid, Housemaid, and Toolman).
Anna is the eldest daughter of the Hon James Jamesons Higgins who is listed in the 1871 census as a landowner farming 1000 acres and employing 27 men, 9 boys and 9 women. She is living at home at Fairfield House in Hampshire. Her elder brother is a serving officer in the army.
In the 1891 census, Henry and Anna are listed as married and living at Knoll House in Corfe Mullen. He has retired from the 6th Inniskillen Dragoons. His mother in law, Charlotte M Higgins, listed as a 70 year old widow, is living with them. The household at Knoll House consists of 9 servants.
He and his wife had strong connections with St Hubert's Church and Lockyers School. After his death at The Knoll in 1923, there is no record of what happened to his wife and daughter. It is strange that there is no mention of who paid for the memorial in the church.
Army record
His dates of promotion are as follows:
| Cornet | 31 August 1866 |
| Lieut. | 6 March 1869 |
| Capt. | 6 January 1875 |
He is mentioned in Hart's Army List 1877. There are no War Services given for him in 1877 and, since the 6th Dragoons did not see action again until the Bechuanaland expedition in 1884, it is doubtful that Captain Mills had any war service prior to his retirement. He just happened to serve with the Regiment during a period of relative peace, at least for his regiment. He is mentioned in The Times: Feb. 15, 1878 "Captain Henry John Mills retires from the service, receiving the value of his commission."