James Miller VC

[simon c]

Recently read that James Miller VC was one of 6 brothers

MILLER, James.

Private. 7th Battalion. Royal Lancaster Regiment.

London Gazetted on 9th September, 1916.

Born: 4th May 1890 at, Taylor's Farm, Hoghton, Nr. Preston, Lancashire.

Died: 31st July, 1916 at Bazentin-le-Petit, France.

Memorial: headstone in Dartmoor Cemetery, France.

Digest of Citation:

At Bazentin-le-Petit, France , Private Miller was ordered to take a message, whilst the Battalion consolidated its position. His task was, under extensive shell and rifle fire, to cross the open ground and return with a reply at all costs. Immediately on leaving the trench he was mortally wounded in the back the bullet exiting through his abdomen. Despite this he compressed his wound, with his hand, and continued on and delivered the message, staggering back with the reply. As he delivered the message to the officer, he fell dead at his feet.

Of Miller's 5 brothers 2 did not survive the war am looking for their final resting place.

Simon

[ATNOMIS]

[IRC Kevin]

There is a tree on Ancestry which suggests that three of his brothers (William; George Edward & Alexander) died in military service.

I think that the one of these was L/Sgt William Miller 1st/4th KORL, who was killed at Givenchy on 9/4/18. http://www.cwgc.org/...casualty=280482

George Edward Miller is probably the 40866 Pte.G.E. Miller of 1st/4th LNL, died 25/12/18. http://www.cwgc.org/...casualty=478606 He is the only G.E. Miller in 1918, the year of death given in the family tree.

I also suspect that R4/090022 Pte A Miller ASC http://www.cwgc.org/...casualty=239024 is the third of these. SDGW gives first name as 'Alec'.

Unfortunately, 1911 census cannot confirm William Miller, as not at address shown on CWGC in 1911.

[simon c]

seem to remember that Gliddons VC book stated on two brothers lost am confused to see three listed?

Simon

[IRC Kevin]

seem to remember that Gliddons VC book stated on two brothers lost am confused to see three listed?

Simon

Two brothers KIA and another died, presumably of sickness or accident, but still serving. I'm only going by the tree on ancestry that these are correct, but census seems to support that this is the same family, although the family were at a different address to 1911 census when CWWG contacted them. Link to the tree on Ancestry is http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/tree/26873244/person/1938326925

[Hans Molier]

And when was James Miller VC born ? According several sites on the internet and 'VC's of the First World War - The Somme' from Gerald Gliddon (page 96) he was born on March 13th 1890. But according other websites and 'The Register of the Victoria Cross' (page 225) he was born on 4 May 1890.

[IRC Kevin]

And when was James Miller VC born ? According several sites on the internet and 'VC's of the First World War - The Somme' from Gerald Gliddon (page 96) he was born on March 13th 1890. But according other websites and 'The Register of the Victoria Cross' (page 225) he was born on 4 May 1890.

Family tree on Ancestry gives 4th May 1890.

[Hans Molier]

Thank you Kevin, but the information of 4th May 1890 is 100% reliable ?

[IRC Kevin]

Thank you Kevin, but the information of 4th May 1890 is 100% reliable ?

As reliable as any family tree is, I suppose, but it does seem to be his family. However, it's possible that they may have got the exact date from the VC Register, rather than a certificate or family record?

[leibregiment]

Does anyone know if Captain Leslie Booth MacKay who was wounded on the same day (same regiment) was in anyway involved? thanks...