Sergeant Cleo Walter Milne, son of James W. Milne, was born July 9, 1898, at Sedgwick, Kansas, and passed away December 3, 1918, at Fort Douglass, Utah, aged 20 years, 5 months, and 24 days. He was laid to rest in Newton Cemetery on December 9, 1918.
He united with the Congregational Church when 12 years of age, and was educated in the Newton schools, having 3 years of High School. He volunteered into the regular Army at Wichita on July 5, 1917, and was sent to Fort Logan, Colorado. In August he was assigned as Bugler of Co. H, 43rd Infantry, stationed at Fort Douglas, Utah, with which command he remined 13 months, when he was trnansferred as Corporal and then Sergeant of Co. H, 79th Infantry, at Camp Logan, Texas, and was a member of that company at the time of his death.
He was married to Miss Olive Flemings, September 9, 1917, at Salt Lake City. At the time of his enlistment his home was with his mother, Mrs. Maude Milne, 5 miles southwest of Newton. He had won two medls as expert rifleman and sharpshooter, and had been called for examination for a lieutenancy 3 days after the armistice was signed November 11.
Sergeant Milne was one of 5 boys who died in the service whose homes were within one mile of each other on mail route # 1, out of Newton – the others being Privates Finnell, Trego, Melvin Savage, and William Savage. The Evening Kansan-Republican, Newton, Kansas. Mondy, May 19, 1919. Page 3. (c) Harvey County Genealogical Society.
