MM (1898-1979), 20 yrs, 5’8”, 146lb, fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair
labourer, Wabba
service no.519, 28.2.16, 10 LATM Bty, (Light Aust Trench Mortar Battery), 39th Bn, 3rd Div, Lcpl
mother Margaret M, Corryong
MM 16.8.17; unwounded through Messines, Passchendaele, Villers-Bretonneux etc.
Returned, remained single, a rabbit trapper and farm worker for Nankervis at Geehi and Tom Groggin and for Scammell, near present-day Doug Sheather's. It is told how, in the early 50s, he fell from the swing bridge at Waterfall Farm at night, fell into the flooding Swampy Plain River and was saved by Nola Benson bravely diving in after him.
Military Medal Citation for Pte Charles Mildren, 519, 10th Aust Light Trench Mortar Battery:
On the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th June 1917, during operations south of Messines, this man, on his N.C.O. being killed, assumed command of his Stokes Mortar gun team and pushed on to his objective. Subsequently the members of his team became casualties and he organised a new team from the ranks of the infantry. The new men also became casualties but Private Mildren remained by his gun, although subjected to intense artillery and machine gun fire. He showed great courage and determination throughout.
It is also told how Charlie, on another occasion, stormed a German trench single-handed after witnessing his brother Albert being shot, killing and wounding 9 of the enemy, returning and carrying his wounded captain, Grieve, back to his lines. The captain was awarded the VC!
