George Mills (writer)
Encyclopedia
George Ramsay Acland Mills (1 October 1896 – 8 December 1972) was a British preparatory schoolmaster and an author of children's adventure stories. His whimsical tales often revolve around boys' preparatory schools in Great Britain
and often involve sports like cricket
, pranks, and mysteries, as well as a beloved pet bulldog
, Uggles. He was born in Bude
, Cornwall
and died in Devonshire.
as a "Writer of Tales for Boys".
Books authored by Mills on the shelves of the British Library
include Meredith and Co.
: The Story of a Modern Preparatory School [1933], King Willow [1938], Minor and Major [1939], and St. Thomas of Canterbury [1939]. Although Mills never published a book after 1939, he saw his work reprinted for another generation into the late 1950s.
Mills' most famous book, Meredith and Co.
, captured the idiom of pupils during the interwar period more accurately than any other novel. Five years later, Mills published a sequel, King Willow. The books followed the maturation and adventures of a cadre of fun-loving boys in fictional Leadham House Preparatory School. Leadham House was based on the teaching experiences of Mills while on the staff at Windlesham House School
in Portslade
and Warren Hill School in Meads
, both in East Sussex
, between 1925 and 1933.
, the English Preparatory School in Glion
, and Eaton Gate Preparatory School in London
between 1926 and 1938, and at Ladycross School
a Catholic boys' preparatory school in Seaford, East Sussex
in 1956 (pictured).
Mills had fought in World War I
from 1916 to 1919, beginning as a Private in the Rifle Brigade, transferring to the Royal Army Service Corps
, and being discharged having earned the rank of Lance Corporal
. At the outset of the World War II
, Mills returned to military service on 11 October 1940 and was assigned the rank of Lieutenant
as a paymaster in the Royal Army Pay Corps
. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant
on 11 April 1942 three months after the death of his wife, Vera. On 3 November 1943, Mills relinquished his commission due to ill health and was granted the honorary rank of lieutenant.
Mills attended Harrow School
from 1910 to 1912 after receiving his early education at Parkfield in Haywards Heath
. After the First World War, Mills took advantage of a 9 March 1920 decree that, according to the University of Oxford
, stipulated that until the end of Trinity Term 1923 any member of the University who had been engaged in military service for twelve months or more before his matriculation, was permitted to offer himself for examination in any Final Honours School, despite not having met the statutory conditions for admission to that School." He had entered Christ Church, Oxford
in 1919, and then the University on May 1921.
There is no record of Mills having passed any examination in the Final Honours School or having earned a degree at Oxford.
Mills was the great-grandson of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 10th Baronet of Killerton
, Devon
. He was the grandson of Arthur Mills (MP)
representing Taunton
and Exeter
, and George Dalhousie Ramsay, K.C.B., who spent thirty years as the Director of Army Clothing at the Royal Army Clothing Depot
in Pimlico
(1863–1893), and the second son of Revd Barton R. V. Mills, a holy cleric and scholar who was an authority on the works of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
. Mills was the half-brother of crime and adventure novelist Arthur F. H. Mills
, and brother-in-law of Lady Dorothy Mills
, the renowned author, explorer, and adventuress.
Mills lived in semi-retirement at Grey Friars in Budleigh Salterton
, Devon
, with his spinster sisters Agnes Edith and Violet Eleanor Mills. He peacefully passed away in hospital on 8 December 1972.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and often involve sports like cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
, pranks, and mysteries, as well as a beloved pet bulldog
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
, Uggles. He was born in Bude
Bude
Bude is a small seaside resort town in North Cornwall, England, at the mouth of the River Neet . It lies just south of Flexbury, north of Widemouth Bay and west of Stratton and is located along the A3073 road off the A39. Bude is twinned with Ergué-Gabéric in Brittany, France...
, Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
and died in Devonshire.
Career as an Author
Mills is listed in the British LibraryBritish Library
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, and is the world's largest library in terms of total number of items. The library is a major research library, holding over 150 million items from every country in the world, in virtually all known languages and in many formats,...
as a "Writer of Tales for Boys".
Books authored by Mills on the shelves of the British Library
British Library
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, and is the world's largest library in terms of total number of items. The library is a major research library, holding over 150 million items from every country in the world, in virtually all known languages and in many formats,...
include Meredith and Co.
Meredith and Co.
Meredith and Co. is a classic 1933 children's novel by George Mills . Meredith and Co. and its sequel, King Willow , HAD been popular from their initial publications in 1933 and 1938, through at least one reprinting in the late 1950s.The text was originally published in 1933 by Oxford University...
: The Story of a Modern Preparatory School [1933], King Willow [1938], Minor and Major [1939], and St. Thomas of Canterbury [1939]. Although Mills never published a book after 1939, he saw his work reprinted for another generation into the late 1950s.
Mills' most famous book, Meredith and Co.
Meredith and Co.
Meredith and Co. is a classic 1933 children's novel by George Mills . Meredith and Co. and its sequel, King Willow , HAD been popular from their initial publications in 1933 and 1938, through at least one reprinting in the late 1950s.The text was originally published in 1933 by Oxford University...
, captured the idiom of pupils during the interwar period more accurately than any other novel. Five years later, Mills published a sequel, King Willow. The books followed the maturation and adventures of a cadre of fun-loving boys in fictional Leadham House Preparatory School. Leadham House was based on the teaching experiences of Mills while on the staff at Windlesham House School
Windlesham House School
Windlesham House School was founded in 1837 by Charles Robert Malden and was the first boys' preparatory school in the United Kingdom. The independent school is located near Washington, West Sussex having moved there in 1934. It caters for over 300 pupils, both boarding and day, aged from four to...
in Portslade
Portslade
Portslade is the name of an area of the city of Brighton and Hove, England. Portslade Village, the original settlement a mile inland to the north, was built up in the 16th century...
and Warren Hill School in Meads
Meads
Meads is an area of the town of Eastbourne in the English county of East Sussex. It is situated at the westerly end of the town below the South Downs.- Boundaries :...
, both in East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
, between 1925 and 1933.
Education, Teaching, & the Military
Mills also taught at The Craig School in WindermereWindermere
Windermere is the largest natural lake of England. It is also a name used in a number of places, including:-Australia:* Lake Windermere , a reservoir, Australian Capital Territory * Lake Windermere...
, the English Preparatory School in Glion
Glion
This article is about the municipality in Canton Vaud. For the city in Canton Graubünden, see Ilanz.Glion is a village in the municipality of Montreux in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland...
, and Eaton Gate Preparatory School in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
between 1926 and 1938, and at Ladycross School
Ladycross School
Ladycross was a Catholic preparatory school based in Seaford, East Sussex, overlooking the downs with trenches which led up to the cliffs. Founded in 1891, more than 2,000 pupils attended it before its closure in 1977.-History:...
a Catholic boys' preparatory school in Seaford, East Sussex
Seaford, East Sussex
Seaford is a coastal town in the county of East Sussex, on the south coast of England. Lying east of Newhaven and Brighton and west of Eastbourne, it is the largest town in Lewes district, with a population of about 23,000....
in 1956 (pictured).
Mills had fought in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
from 1916 to 1919, beginning as a Private in the Rifle Brigade, transferring to the Royal Army Service Corps
Royal Army Service Corps
The Royal Army Service Corps was a corps of the British Army. It was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air despatch; supply of food, water, fuel, and general domestic stores such as clothing, furniture and stationery ; administration of...
, and being discharged having earned the rank of Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
Lance corporal is a military rank, used by many armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organizations. It is below the rank of corporal, and is typically the lowest non-commissioned officer, usually equivalent to the NATO Rank Grade OR-3.- Etymology :The presumed...
. At the outset of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Mills returned to military service on 11 October 1940 and was assigned the rank of Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
as a paymaster in the Royal Army Pay Corps
Royal Army Pay Corps
The Royal Army Pay Corps was a former corps of the British Army responsible for administering all financial matters. It was amalgamated into the Adjutant General's Corps in 1992....
. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
on 11 April 1942 three months after the death of his wife, Vera. On 3 November 1943, Mills relinquished his commission due to ill health and was granted the honorary rank of lieutenant.
Mills attended Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
from 1910 to 1912 after receiving his early education at Parkfield in Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath
-Climate:Haywards Heath experiences an oceanic climate similar to almost all of the United Kingdom.-Rail:Haywards Heath railway station is a major station on the Brighton Main Line...
. After the First World War, Mills took advantage of a 9 March 1920 decree that, according to the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, stipulated that until the end of Trinity Term 1923 any member of the University who had been engaged in military service for twelve months or more before his matriculation, was permitted to offer himself for examination in any Final Honours School, despite not having met the statutory conditions for admission to that School." He had entered Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
in 1919, and then the University on May 1921.
There is no record of Mills having passed any examination in the Final Honours School or having earned a degree at Oxford.
Family
Mills married Vera Louise Beauclerk (1893–1942) on 24 April 1925. They had no children.Mills was the great-grandson of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 10th Baronet of Killerton
Killerton
Killerton is an 18th-century house in Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, England, which, with its hillside garden and estate, has been owned by the National Trust since 1944 and is open to the public...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. He was the grandson of Arthur Mills (MP)
Arthur Mills (MP)
Arthur Mills was a British Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Taunton [1852-53 and 1857-1865] and Exeter [1873-1880]. In his career, he was also a barrister, magistrate, and author in Cornwall and London...
representing Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
and Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
, and George Dalhousie Ramsay, K.C.B., who spent thirty years as the Director of Army Clothing at the Royal Army Clothing Depot
Royal Army Clothing Depot
The Royal Army Clothing depot was founded in 1855 and was in operation until at least the end of the First World War. Its location was Grosvenor Road, Pimlico, London, England, now the site of Dolphin Square. It provided the uniforms for the British Army for many conflicts and was part of the...
in Pimlico
Pimlico
Pimlico is a small area of central London in the City of Westminster. Like Belgravia, to which it was built as a southern extension, Pimlico is known for its grand garden squares and impressive Regency architecture....
(1863–1893), and the second son of Revd Barton R. V. Mills, a holy cleric and scholar who was an authority on the works of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard of Clairvaux, O.Cist was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian order.After the death of his mother, Bernard sought admission into the Cistercian order. Three years later, he was sent to found a new abbey at an isolated clearing in a glen known as the Val...
. Mills was the half-brother of crime and adventure novelist Arthur F. H. Mills
Arthur F. H. Mills
Arthur Frederick Hobart Mills is one of a family of authors. His father, Arthur Mills , was a Tory and an expert of colonial economies and governance. The senior Mills' India in 1858 is still in print and accurately describes the political and economic conditions in India after the Indian...
, and brother-in-law of Lady Dorothy Mills
Lady Dorothy Mills
Lady Dorothy Rachel Melissa Walpole Mills was an author of both novels and accounts of her many travels and explorations.-Family:...
, the renowned author, explorer, and adventuress.
Mills lived in semi-retirement at Grey Friars in Budleigh Salterton
Budleigh Salterton
Budleigh Salterton is a small town on the south coast of Devon, England 15 miles south of Exeter. It is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designated East Devon AONB.- Features :...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, with his spinster sisters Agnes Edith and Violet Eleanor Mills. He peacefully passed away in hospital on 8 December 1972.