Frank Joseph Milligan

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

406134

Unit at enlistment:

36th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

St. Joseph's Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

123 Grand River Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

123 Grand River Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Coremaker

Religious denominations:

Roman Catholic

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

BX July 12, 1919

Blind Soldier is Doing Well – Pte. F. Milligan is Doing Well at St. Dunstan’s – His War Record

A letter received from St. Dustan’s Hospital for Blinded Soldiers, by Mrs. Milligan, West Mill Street, reports that her son Pte. Frank Joseph Milligan, who lost the sight of both eyes through a sniper’s shot, is doing very well.

Private Milligan had a remarkable record. He left Brantford with the 36th Battalion and in January 1915 was transferred to the 54th Battalion. He served with them in the battle of Zillebeke from June 2 to June 16. He then went with his battalion to the Somme, and was in the battle of Courcelette on September 1916. He went over again in the attack on the Regina Trench on October 1, 1916. After a few months rest the battalion was broken up and he was transferred to the 116th Battalion. He went with them in the attack on Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917. With the same battalion he fought at Hill 70, and on moving to the Ypres area took part in the attack on Passchendaele. After returning to Ypres and being in the line in front of Mericourt, he went for training in open warfare, and after moving to Arras went into the battle of Amiens on August 9, 1918. He came out without a scratch and went back to Arras and through the battle of Monchy, on August 26 and 28, 1918. He was through the attack on the Canal du Nord and there was shot by a sniper, losing the sight of both eyes at Bourlon Wood, near Cambrai. He was taken to St. Dunstan’s Hospital and there is doing well in training for a life of usefulness, despite the great handicap he has been placed under by his wound.

BX July 11, 1951

First World War Blinded Veteran Passes at 62

Frank J. Melligan, husband of Elizabeth Webster, 123 Grand River Avenue, died Tuesday in Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, aged 62. Only native-born blinded war veteran here, Mr. Melligan was the son of Mrs. Bridget Melligan and the late Charles Melligan. He was born in Brantford and had resided here all of his life.

He served in France in the First World War with the 36th Battalion, later transferring to the 60th Battalion and when wounded Oct. 1, 1918 was serving with the 116th Battalion under Major-General G.R. Pearkes. Mr. Melligan was a member of the Telephone City Branch 90 of the Canadian Legion, the Sir Arthur Pearson club for Blinded Servicemen, the Amputations of the Great War, and a life member of the 125th Battalion Association. He was also a member of St. Basil’s R.C. Church. Surviving besides his widow are one daughter, Mrs. J.H. (Patricia) Hughes; one son, Frank Edward Melligan; four grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. Bridge Melligan; two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Kennedy, Hamilton, and Mrs. Donald Charters Brantford; one brother, Gus Melligan, Brantford.

Mr. Melligan will rest at the residence, 123 Grand River Avenue, from Thursday, thence to St. Basil’s Church Saturday morning for requiem mass. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

BX July 16, 1951

Frank J. Melligan

Many friends and relatives attended the funeral Saturday morning for Frank J. Melligan, which was conducted from his residence, 123 Grand River Avenue, to St. Basil’s R.C. Church, where Rev. Frances J. Buck, Chicago, a member of the family, sang requiem mass. Representatives were present from the Telephone City Branch, Canadian Legion, the Amputation Society and the 125th Battalion Association. The profusion of floral tributes further evinced the esteem in which the deceased was held. The honorary pallbearers were Norman Stewart, Neil Prior, Cam Stapleton, Fred Waddell, Vern Duxbury and James Humble, all members of the Amputation Society. The pallbearers were Fred Casey, William Brown, A. Churchward, H. Grant, M. King and G. Campbell, all members of the Canadian Legion and the 125th Battalion Association. Comrade E.R. Edwards was in charge of the legion party assisted by Comrade D. Monkman. The Legionnaires and the active pallbearers acted as flower bearers. Rev. Mr. Buck officiated at the interment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery and Fred Nicolas was bugler.