Walter John Milne, a forgotten Ingham identity

Have you ever given much thought to the building occupied by ROCKMANS? If you look up at the rather nondescript façade you will read WM Walter Milne Estd 1929. I always think it is a pity that current business owners feel it necessary to paint over or cover over the history of their buildings, rather than proudly displaying the rich heritage that tells Ingham’s unique history.

Who was Walter Milne? Walter John Milne was born on 9 April, 1891 to Jessie Sewell and Ernest Milne.  He was married to Bessie Crossman Clements on 8 December 1919. He served with 41^st Australian Infantry Battalion as a corporal and used that experience as a banner to advertise his business on Stokes Street, Townsville in 1920. Amongst the many roles he advertised was Auctioneer.  He then moved his business in December 1921 to the Bank of Queensland Chambers next door to Lennons Limited on Flinders Street. By 1929 he had moved to Ingham and had established his business at 65 Lannercost Street, while living with Bessie in Selby Estate.

In Ingham he acted as an auctioneer and commission agent. He also acted as an agent for firstly, the Australian Cooperative Fertilisers Ltd. (during his time in Townsville) and later for sulphate of ammonia for Fertilizer Distributors Pty. Ltd. He was also an agent for the insurance company, AMP. Other well-known auctioneers at the time in Ingham were George Groundwater and Felix Reitano (whose business survives to this day). Milne moved briefly away from Ingham during WW2 to Townsville to do contract work.

Like most businessmen he was public minded, holding positions on sporting bodies and the Ambulance committee. After the war when he auctioned ex-military horses and donkeys he donated his fee to the Red Cross.

In the early hours of Friday 29 May, 1942 he nearly lost his building to a fire which not only threatened his building, but the Hotel Central. Unfortunately, the fire destroyed Houng Yuen’s which was extensively stocked at the time, and the building occupied by F. J. Blackman, saddler. While Milne’s building was damaged by fire, the contents were saved. Significant to the saving of the other buildings in the main street, including not only the Hotel Central but the Shire Hall was a celotex (insulation) wall in Milne’s office. A hose was trained on the inside on it and as a result the fire would not ignite it. As well, several off-duty policemen came to the fire brigade’s assistance. Constable Blackford took the hose as a fireman ascended the balcony of the Central Hotel, training it against the encroaching fire. Fortunately, insurances covered the buildings and their stock.

While watching a cricket match in Townsville on Wednesday 31 October, 1951 Walter Milne collapsed as a result of a heart attack. He was rushed to hospital but could not to be saved. He was only 60 years of age. Bessie passed away on 16 June, 1960.

WM WALTER MILNE ESTD 1929

WALTER MILNE BUILDING, now ROCKMANS

 Group portrait of the NCOs of the 41st Battalion at Kemmel Hill. Walter John Milne: Corporal Of the 41^st Battalion AIF (second from end, right, back row)

 Source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E01521

Australian War Memorial Australian 41^st Australian Infantry Battalion Image number: E01521

Date 22 January 1918.

Maker:Unknown Australian Official Photographer

Place made: Belgium: Flanders, West-Vlaanderen, Heuvelland, Kemmel, Kemmel Hill

Conflict First World War, 1914-1918