Herbert Horatio Mills | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Bertie |
| Born | 27 January 1917 |
| Died | 22 August 1987 (aged 70) |
| Occupation | Educator |
Herbert Horatio Mills (27 January 1917 – 22 August 1987), also known as Bertie Mills, was a teacher at Sedbergh School, Rector of the Edinburgh Academy and, after retirement, Scottish Secretary of the Independent Schools Careers Organisation (ISCO).[1] In his younger days, during World War II, he was a Brigade Major who won the Military Cross,[2] and also an eminent rugby wing forward who won two Blues at Cambridge and played for Gloucestershire.
Biography
editBertie Mills distinguished himself during World War II and was a renowned rugby player for Gloucestershire but in later years was principally notable for his teaching career in Sedbergh (Cumbria) and Edinburgh. He was also an adventurer who enjoyed mountaineering (the Alps, the Munroes and the Skye ridge). If his final eulogy is anything to go by, Bertie was a character somewhat reminiscent of the man described by Rudyard Kipling in 'If', distinguished by: a 'fine intellect', being 'incredibly hard-working' and demonstrating single-mindedness of purpose, 'immense' physical and moral courage, integrity and kindness.[3]
Early life and education
edit'Bertie' was educated at Marling School, Stroud, Gloucestershire, which he attended during the inter-war years. He went on to study Modern and Medieval Languages at the University of Cambridge, where he received a double first. Described as 'exceptionally brilliant academically' by an American professor who oversaw his postgraduate studies,[4] he took a PhD at St Catherine's College, Cambridge, where his doctoral supervisor described him as 'the best all-rounder, the best, by far the best, research student I ever had'.[5]
Wartime service
editDuring World War II, despite his fear of heights, Mills entered the Parachute Regiment and served in the taking of the Pegasus Bridge at Rainville and the Crossing of the Rhine. As a Brigade Major and Intelligence Officer fluent in German, he on one occasion went through enemy lines to find a company that was near to collapse and reunite it with the battalion, an act of bravery that won him the Military Cross.[6][7]
Sporting career
editHaving wons two Blues for rugby union football at Cambridge,[8] Bertie subsequently played as a wing forward for Gloucestershire.[9] He was a player of great flair and ferocity, described (by his not unbiased eulogist) as being 'more often horizontal than vertical'[10] presumably in reference to his aerial action.
Teaching career
editH H Mills discovered, after some early soul-searching, that the motivation of his life was to 'give, give, give to young people',[11] and this he did, throughout a distinguished career in teaching, at Sedbergh School and, finally, as Rector of the Edinburgh Academy, devoting time and care to boys of all abilities.[12] Tireless and dedicated, he encouraged personal development in the pupils and helped them to achieve their personal best. As Rector of the Edinburgh Academy, many of his duties were strategic, and his achievements included the expansion of the physical premises of the school, the upgrading of the library, an improved staff-student ratio, the introduction of girls to the sixth form and the abolition of corporal punishment.[13] He retired in 1977.[14]
Personal life
editBertie remained unmarried for most of his life and for many years was supported 'superbly' and 'elegantly'[15] by his sister who was his companion and housekeeper. He had retired to St Andrews,[16] and it was only at the very end of his life, after the death of his sister, that he married. Tragically, he and his wife Rosalind only had a month together before his death.[17]
References
edit | Constructs such as ibid., loc. cit. and idem are discouraged by Wikipedia's style guide for footnotes, as they are easily broken. Please improve this article by replacing them with named references (quick guide), or an abbreviated title. (June 2019) |
- ^ The content of this article comes from a copy of the eulogy given at the funeral of Herbert Mills on 14th November 1987 at the Edinburgh Academy, which was sent by his wife, Rosalind, to a lifelong fan of 'Bertie' (the mother of the present author). This is an unpublished primary source. For full document see File:H-H-Mills-funeral-eulogy-Edinburgh-Academy-1987.pdf.
- ^ http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/herbert_horatio_mills.htm
- ^ Source cited in note 1.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/herbert_horatio_mills.htm
- ^ Source cited in note 1.
- ^ Ibid. but further citation needed; this was probably just after WWII.
- ^ Source cited in note 1.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Wikipedia entry on Edinburgh Academy
- ^ Source cited in note 1.
- ^ Implicit in source cited in note 1 but further information/citation on this needed.
- ^ Source cited in note 1.