Cotton nightgown worn by Donald Millbank as a baby, made in England in 1926/27

A baby's nightgown made of cream brushed cotton with short lace edging round the neck and sleeves. The gown has a floral motif embroidered in cream silk thread on the front, with a narrow band of smocking below. There is a line of cream silk stitching 3cm from the hemline. The gown fastens at the back with two buttons that are cotton covered and attached to the smock with blue thread. There are several small holes in the cotton fabric on the proper right front of the gown.

Given by Christine Adams

The following was written by Christine Adams, Donald's niece and donor of his childhood objects:

Donald Gerald Balfour Millbank

Donald was born in Surrey in 1927. His father, Fred, was an officer for the Port of London Authority and his mother, Lou, stayed at home to look after her family. He had an older brother and sister, Alan and Mildred (Millie - known as 'Weenie' by the family as she was a particularly tiny baby.) Another younger brother died at a few months old.

On 18 November 1940, when Donald was 13, he was killed by a bomb dropped directly on the house. His sister Weenie, a few years older, was buried under the house with him for several hours, holding his hand. She felt him grow weaker as he gradually passed away. His mother never recovered from losing two children and was in mourning for the rest of her life, only wearing black.

Donald grew up in the years before the Second World War, in what was then the village of Mitcham, in a family house with a rabbit, cat and dog. His family remember a bright, kind, funny boy, artistically talented as can be seen by a selection of [his] drawings.

His brother Alan became a teacher and Weenie a nurse - both were excellent painters. As for so many children on both sides of the War, Donald was denied his life but his potential was clear as can be seen here.

This baby's nightgown is made from brushed cotton, a material that was often used for small children's clothing at the time because it was light but also provided extra warmth. The gown was worn by Donald Millbank who tragically died at a young age. Donald was born in 1927 and grew up in Merton; he was killed during the Second World War in 1940 when a bomb made a direct hit on his house. Donald was remembered by his family as a bright, kind, funny boy who was artistically talented.

This gown is part of a collection of objects that belonged to Donald and which also includes a birthday card he made for his father, his school exercise books and several colourful drawings, as well as three memorial cards made for Donald following his death. These provide a snapshot of a young boy's life and work from a turbulent time in British history and they are a rare survival.

B.554-2016