Charles Millot / World Traveller / Orkney Visitor

 

Four Photos from the Tom Kent Collection sent me on a journey of discovery to find out more about this man, Charles Millot. In July 2021 we posted a couple of the photos on Twitter (now X) and they were very popular. Many people asked questions such as how did he get here? Why was he wearing those clothes? Where did the dog come from? What happened to him after he visited Orkney? So I set myself the task of finding out. 

My first clue was the captions for the photos which said that Charles Millot was French and that he was on a walking tour of the world. When these photos were taken in January 1903, he'd been walking for around two years and was passing through Orkney en route for Norway and beyond.

Where to go to find out more? I had been using the British Newspaper Archive online to research my family history, so I wondered if a Frenchman wandering the country in 1903 was newsworthy. Turns out he was! I was able to gather articles about Mr Millot and piece together his story. 

From 1902 to 1903 Charles Millot was a celebrity in the UK. Accounts of his travels appeared in local newspapers almost weekly. He purposely visited local newspaper offices to introduce himself and have his photo taken and the postcards printed, which he then sold to make money to fund his journey. 

Charles left Paris on 22nd April 1901 at the age of 20. He had no money on him. Why? Well, it was all for a bet! He had wagered with his friends that he could walk around the world in 6 years, taking no funds with him, but making enough on the way from the postcards. 

EUROPE

The articles are all from UK newspapers, and according to the Gloucester Echo of September 1902 he had been travelling for 16 months before he reached England. 

He ascended Mounts Etna and Vesuvius in Italy without the services of a guide. When in Sicily he was confined to hospital with malarial fever. 

At one point of his journey he walked through deep snow for hundreds of miles, sometimes up to the waist. He had a nasty experience at Breslau, where he slept on the bare ground. Some German toughs approached him whilst asleep and dealt him severe blows on the head. 

"I awoke," exclaimed M. Millot, dramatically throwing his arms in the air, "pulled out my revolver, and shot at them." They left him, but he was placed ten days in the local hospital, and still bears the marks of his adventure. 

From Germany he went to Holland, then Belgium, then to Ostend where he sailed for Margate in England. 

Also from the Gloucester Echo, "M. Millot carries with him a most interesting collection of consular seals, signatures of prominent men, stamps, and illustrated post-cards obtained in the various places he has visited."

ENGLAND and WALES

"He took a boat to Margate and continued his tour through the south of England to London, where he witnessed the Coronation Procession." 

This would have been the coronation of Edward VII and his wife Alexandra on the 9th August 1902. 

"He intends to visit Ireland, Scotland, America, China, Japan and South Africa." 

His intentions seem to change daily, though and so from Bristol he gets a boat to Dublin. 

According to the Northants Evening Courier he reached Dublin on the 10th September 1902. 

"He is spending a few days in Dublin to see the town and will then visit Waterford, Wexford and Cork". 

In the Wicklow Newsletter and County Advertiser dated 20th September 1902, 

"Millot who may be described as a rather peculiar looking character, arrived in Wicklow on Thursday having travelled on Shank's mare [walked] from Greystones. He stated he started from Paris with the intention of travelling round the world without a red cent in his pocket. He visited several parts of Europe and Asia, staying only in one place."

"Millot, who carries an immense pack seems little the worse from his journey. He calls at every police station and gets a document, which bears the stamp and signature of the French Consul, signed by the sergeant in charge. He speaks very little English, but otherwise is a good linguist."

"When Millot left Paris, his idea was to travel round the world in a period of six years. He is now on his way to Cork, where he will remain for a time, and then start for New York, afterwards visiting Japan and China. Millot is a wonderful individual, and his undertaking to travel round the world is undoubtedly nothing short of a fad. In all the places he has visited he has been never known to ask for anything, and pays his way like a gentleman, though when he left Paris, he did not possess a centime. How he has got along since is a mystery, as in order to travel round the globe a person would require a nice little fortune. He is known by the name “Globe-trotter,” in which he seems to take not a little pride."

Photo showing his armband

However, he does not go New York. We next find him in Scotland. According to the Dundee Courier of the 20th October, "M Millot arrived in Dundee from Edinburgh on Saturday. Twenty-two years of age, he looks older, and on his left arm he wears the tricolore of France in the shape of a broad band." 

DUNDEE

The article says he sailed from Dublin to Liverpool. 

"Mons. Millot speaks highly of the hospitality which has been shown him in Scotland. The young Frenchman, who discarded the occupation of a chef for an explorateur, looks in perfect health, and expects to resume his tour in a day or two by leaving Dundee for Christiana. He intends to traverse Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, China, Japan, America, India, and South Africa, and in the completion of his colossal task, dating from when he started, he expects to occupy six years."

"In his knapsack he carries with him a collection of postcards bearing his photograph, and a valuable collection of stamps, by the sale of which he earns a livelihood. He has also a large collection of autographs of people he has met, and makes a point of obtaining a picture postcard of every place he sets foot in."

Image from Dundee Courier

Tuesday 21 October 1902 – Dundee Courier

LOCHEE

"French Traveller. – M. Charles Millot the French traveller, who is at present on a visit to this country, paid a visit to Lochee yesterday afternoon. Wherever he went he attracted a good deal of attention. Millot was conducted over several places of interest by Mr Alexander Fleming, of Messrs Fleming Brothers. He was shown the Free Library, Public Reading-Rooms, and Baths, while Mr Fleming pointed out to him the immense range of buildings which form Camperdown Jute Works. The  traveller appeared to take a deep interest in everything he saw. "

Monday 27th October 1902 - Dundee Evening Post

M. MILLOT LEAVES DUNDEE

"M Charles Millot the French explorateur, who is travelling the world, left Dundee this afternoon for Arbroath, where he intends to remain for two days. M Millot has had a pleasant stay in Dundee, extending over a week. He has added to his stock a large quantity of beautiful postcards, by the sale of which he earns funds to carry him on his journey. During his stay in the city M. Millot has been presented with a Scotch Terrier, to which he has given the name "Dundee", and this little canine companion will now accompany him amd possibly befriend him on his journey. M. Millot wished to thank the people of Dundee for the uniform kindness extended to him." 

M. Charles Millot and "Dundee" the dog

ARBROATH

In Arbroath he met some French speakers, "His visit evoked considerable interest. In the course of one evening he met several ladies and gentlemen who conversed with him in his native tongue, he being quite unable to talk English"

Wednesday 29th October 1902 - Dundee Evening Telegraph

"During his stay in Arbroath M. CM the Frenchman who is on a tour round the world has been attracting a good deal of attention... At the invitation of management, M Millot is to appear at the Theatre to-night, when no no doubt his presence will prove an attraction."

After Arbroath he went to Montrose where we finally get a good description of him

Thursday 6th November - Arbroath Herald and Advertiser for the Montrose Burghs

"gallant, boastful, vain, impudent, and merry - with small moustache and pointed beard, dark and of olive complexion, nose straight and finely chiselled, large dark and languishing eyes quite consciously 'irresistible', who expresses himself with shrugs, smiles, and expressive gesticulations - this French Puss in Boots - a merry pilgrim on the road to nowhere!"

ABERDEEN

After Arbroath, he went to Aberdeen which he did not like at all...

Image from the Press & Journal, 8th Nov 1902

Thursday 6^th November – Dundee Evening Telegraph

Of Aberdeen and Aberdonians the Frenchman writes:

"A town of granite

Houses of granite

A sky of granite

Hearts of granite

Money of granite". 

Oh dear... We have no stories about why he did not like Aberdeen, only these few lines sent to his friends in Dundee. 

PETERHEAD

When he arrives in Peterhead we learn more about the origins of his clothes...

Saturday 8^th November 1902 - Peterhead Sentinel and General Advertiser for Buchan District

"With his knapsack on his back, the tricolore badge on his right arm, his boots, easy and comfortable for walking, not long ago adorned a six-foot policeman in the town of Wexford; his gaiters he acquired in Swansea; his trousers were made in Belgium; the sweater-jersey which enables him to dispense with the refinements of linen, was fabricated in Buda Pest; and his cap came from a Dublin hatter. 

He has come to Peterhead with some idea of getting a vessel to take him to Christiana, whence he proposes to strike across Norway and Sweden to St Petersburg." 

MACDUFF AND BANFF

Next we find his in MacDuff where he is in court!

Tuesday 25^th November 1902 – Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser

THE FRENCH “PEDESTRIAN” IN TROUBLE AT MACDUFF

"On Monday forenoon there was a large attendance at the MacDuff Police Court, when Charles Millot the French pedestrian was brought before Bailies Forbes and West charged with being drunk and creating a breach of the peace and assaulting one of the lieges in Skene Street on Saturday night. Mr Williams, Fife Arms, acted as interpreter. Accused said that very little Scotch beer had upset him. He was extremely sorry for his actions. The Procurator-Fiscal – "You came by train". Millot – "Sometimes walk, sometimes train, sometimes steamers". Taking the peculiar circumstances into consideration, the Bench took a lenient view of the case, and ordered the explorer to leave the burgh bounds by noon. It is understood that Millot left for Inverness." 

Saturday 29^th November 1902 - Dundee Evening Telegraph

"A letter sent to a friend in Dundee from M Charles Millot who has reached Dingwall after his expulsion from Banff. He wrote: 'M. Millot has been very badly treated at Banff where, after having been insulted, he has been abused by the police."

WICK

After Inverness and Dingwall, his next port is Wick where he is still trying to get a ship to Christiana.

Friday 12th December 1902 - John O Groats Journal

"A LONG WALK - Monsieur Charles Millot the 22 year old Parisian who is walking round the world, arrived in Wick on Saturday, where, along with his Scotch Terrier, he was the object of some attention. His tour round the world, of which he has already covered 3140 miles, is for a wager. The uncovered ground included America, South Africa, China, Japan, India and Australia. He goes from Caithness to Christiana"

LERWICK

Still not finding his way off the UK, he arrives in Shetland on Saturday 27th December 1902.

Shetland Times

"M Charles Millot, the French globe-trotter, is to arrive at Lerwick on Saturday (to-day), per SS St Ninian. He intends to cross over from Shetland with a steamer for Norway, and then goes through Norway, Sweden and Denmark thence he proceeds to Russia, and crosses Asia from west to east. From Vladivostok he will proceed to Japan. 

Steam Ship St Ninian                     TK413

"During the day on Monday he was 'the observed of all' on Commercial Street. Mallot is a little man with dark hair and eyes, and a black beard. His face is extremely pale, and hardly suggests the contact with the elements which he much have had during his 3000 mile tramp. He had intended crossing over to Norway but no vessel is available.

He carries a valise, in which are a series of albums with copious notes about men and manners in the countries he has visited, some day probably to worked into a book for the edification of his countrymen. To get wherewithal for food and lodgings he sells post cards at two pence each, bearing his portrait and autograph. He also had a large portrait of himself which he sold for a shilling. He sold a number of post cards while in Lerwick."

KIRKWALL

On his way south he visits Orkney

In Kirkwall he finally meets local photographer Tom Kent who takes the four photos which started all this research in the first place. 

Strangely, he is not mentioned in the Orcadian or Orkney Herald newspapers at all when he is in Orkney. All we have are these four photos.

Charles Millot in the Courtyard of Tankerness House, Kirkwall by Tom Kent TK3807

Charles Millot in the Courtyard of Tankerness House, Kirkwall by Tom Kent TK3808

Charles Millot in the Courtyard of Tankerness House, Kirkwall with his dog named "Dundee" by Tom Kent TK3809

Charles Millot in the Courtyard of Tankerness House, Kirkwall by Tom Kent TK3810

EDINBURGH

He then travels to Edinburgh via Dundee (carefully avoiding MacDuff, Banff and Aberdeen) With every new article, his plans seem to change slightly. 

Wednesday 21st January 1903 - Orkney Herald

WALKING ROUND THE WORLD

"Charles Millot the young Frenchman, reached Edinburgh on Friday on his return Scottish journey, which is part of his tour round the world. In Scotland he walked north from Glasgow by Perth, and after visiting Orkney and Shetland, returned by the East Coast by Dundee and Edinburgh. He sails from Berwick for Hamburg en-route for Denmark, Scandinavia, Russia, and along the line of the Trans-Siberian Railway to the extreme east, returning by China and India."

AFTER SCOTLAND

Nine months later, he writes to friends in Dundee and his news is published in the papers.

Tuesday 6th October 1903 - Fraserburgh Herald and Northern Counties Advertiser

"THE GLOBE-TROTTER AGAIN- A correspondent has received a post card from Charles Millot who, it will be remembered passed through Fraserburgh some time ago. Since then he has traversed Norway, Sweden, Finland and Siberia. His present address is Samera, Russia, and he states that he has lost all his chattels and addresses."

"He send greetings to all the folks he met last year."

Sadly we don't hear about him again in any newspaper in the UK. We don't know if he survives his epic journey or not. If you find out any more, please do get in touch. I would love to know more. 

I hope you have enjoyed this story.