An Angus businessman is determined to find a fallen soldier’s family and present them with the infantryman’s war medals.
Private Robert Millar, known as Bob, had no children, but Bill Adam hopes there can still be family members who can receive the medals and the few documents that remain.
Bill, 62, owner of Harbour Nights guest house and Memory Lane antiques shop in Arbroath, has framed the medals with a photograph of Pte Millar, which is signed to his “adorable wife”.
Born in Coaltown of Balgonie to Alexander and Jane Millar, Pte Millar married a short time before the start of the war.
He was killed in action in Burma in July 1944 while serving with the 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. He was 27.
His widow received the four service medals he had been awarded.
Mr Adam doesn’t want the medals tucked away in a tired-looking matchbox sized packet, but would prefer they allow Pte Millar’s story to be discovered by proud relations.
Reflecting on Armistice Day, Mr Adam said: “For all I know the medals have been boxed up, unseen all these years as a sad memento of a life lost.
“They may well have been quietly treasured, but I just think it’s a shame if that’s the be all and end of his life.”
Pte Millar is buried at Imphal Military Cemetery in north-east India, on the borders of what was Burma.
His widow remarried, had children and is understood to have settled in the Arbroath area.
She has since passed away, and it was her daughter who handed Bob’s medals to Mr Adam in the hope they would be of value or interest to someone.
Bill said: “I was thinking of looking for more information in Fife via the registry office.
“I have even contemplated going to India where Bob is buried, as I feel a connection with his story.”
He continued: “I hope that someone reads The Courier, realises that Bob is a relative of theirs and makes that connection.
“Maybe someone has heard stories told about Uncle Bob who fought in the war and they will get in touch.”
Anyone who thinks that they are related to Pte Millar can contact Mr Adam by email at sbilladam@aol.com.