Miss Millais

Subject: Miss Millais Sun Jun 25, 2023 1:06 pm

Hi All

Do we know who this is:

One of Mr Millais's most popular pictures is "yes" a young soldier off upon service receiving the welcome word from the lips of the young girl he loves. That picture has been realised in fact by Miss Millais. With "yes" when the war is over" did she send Lieutenant James to fight his county's battles in South Africa.
Lieutenant James has escaped such dangers as Isandula and Intombi and returning safe has been rewarded with the hand which buckled on his sword. Miss Millais, the painters eldest daughter, has become Mrs Lieutenant James. It is a pretty story of love and war.

The Merthyr Telegraph, Friday 5th December 1879.

Regards Eddie

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Sun Jun 25, 2023 4:30 pm

Effie Gray Millais married Lieutenant William Christopher James of the 2nd Dragoons, Royal Scots Greys.

James served with the 17th (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Lancers during the advance of 2nd Division. Present at the skirmish of eZungeni, 5th June 1879. Took part in the charge of 17th Lancers during the Battle of Ulundi, 4th July 1879. Slightly wounded by a spear thrust during the pursuit of the Zulu, his horse received a bullet wound. Returned with the 17th Lancers to Pinetown, subsequently embarked for Britain on 27th August 1879.

Attended Staff College, Camberley 1880-1 see [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

JY

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Sun Jun 25, 2023 4:40 pm

Cheers John

Great story

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Mon Jun 26, 2023 10:53 am

Lieutenant James has escaped such dangers as Isandula and Intombi…

Escaped them by not being in the theatre of operations.

I discovered the reason for the reporting in The Merthyr Telegraph, James’ father was Sir William Milbourne James (1807-1881), a Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal and member of the Privy Council. Sir William was born in Merthyr Tydfil.

There are some interesting connections to other Zulu War families through marriage.

JY

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Tue Jun 27, 2023 1:49 am

Thank you John

Yes I have noticed quite a few marriage connections

Subject: Miss Millais Tue Jun 27, 2023 5:00 am

Hi JY
Did James go out with the 17th Lcrs ? , if so , James escaped Isandlwana because he was still in the UK !! , missed Intombie because he was either at St Vincent or had just left !? Very Happy

90th

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Tue Jun 27, 2023 8:59 am

Gary,

Exactly, he was still at sea with the 17th Lancers.

JY

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Thu Jul 06, 2023 1:18 pm

Surgeon D. Blair Brown recorded James’ injury in his book:

Another case was that of Lieut. J. of the Scots Greys, who was hit by an assegai as he was furiously taking part in the charge at Ulundi. The assegai hit him on the sternum ; and though he, with characteristic British pluck, thought it a trifle, it afterwards suppurated and was some little time in healing.

JY

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:08 am

And Effie was the daughter of the Pre-Raphaelite artist John Everett Millais.

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:11 am

I wonder if the painting referred to is 'News from Home'? Google it -it's a Highland soldier - but the reference is still there.

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Fri Jul 07, 2023 10:42 am

Julian,

No the painting is Yes, rather News from Home.

No indication that the male figure in the composition is a soldier though, he is wearing an Inverness cape coat and carrying a deerstalker.

JY

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Fri Jul 07, 2023 4:11 pm

Thank you John. Of course it is.

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Fri Jul 07, 2023 10:06 pm

Hi All

If you Google Lieutenant William Christopher James, the first image that appears in COLLECTIONS, on the left, is our man. Obviously not an image of the painting, but a photograph taken by Rupert Potter, father of the children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter.

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Sat Jul 08, 2023 1:14 am

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Lieutenant William Christopher James,
2nd Dragoons, Royal Scots Greys.
(John Young Collection)

JY

Subject: Re: Miss Millais Sat Jul 08, 2023 7:58 am

From Millais to Beatrix Potter to the AZW. Weren't the Victorians wonderfully connected!

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