Private George Miller, 25801

  • Batt - 6
  • Unit - Leicestershire Regiment
  • Section -
  • Date of Birth - 1893
  • Died - 27/09/1916
  • Age - 22

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Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Arthur Miller, a carpenter, born 1861 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire and his wife Alice Miller (nee Simons, married on the 18th October 1880 in St. Mary’s Church, Nottingham), born 1863 in Long Clawson, George was born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Long Clawson, his siblings were, John William, a carpenter’s apprentice, born 1881, Harriet Alice, a lace cheniller, born 1882, Edgar, born 1888 and Ernest Edward Brown, born 1891, all his siblings were born in Long Clawson, also residing in the family home was George’s maternal Aunt, Ann Simons, a charwoman, born 1853 in Long Clawson, in March 1901 the family home was at East End, Long Clawson. In April 1911 George was employed as a carpenter and joiner’s apprentice and was residing in the family home at East End, Long Clawson, together with his father, a self employed house joiner and general worker, his mother and siblings, Harriett, Edgar, an assistant postman and joiner, Ernest, a farm labourer and Christabel Irene Simons, a schoolgirl, born 1902 in Long Clawson. George was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
On Friday July 21st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – LOCAL SOLDIERS. – The news will be received with much regret that Pte. Richard Harby, of the 7th Lincolns, is again in hospital in France, having received injuries through being buried whilst in action during the recent push. It is hoped that he will soon recover. It will give much pleasure to hear that Lce-Cpl. W. B. Littler has been promoted to Corporal in the D.L.I. He was on leave this week, also Pte. F. Ing, looking very fit. They speak in high terms of the good time they are having with the Durham’s. Pte. Geo. Miller, son of Mr. A. Miller, has left for France. The best wishes of the village go with him for good luck and a safe return.
The War diary records: 25 Sep-16 - BERNAFAY WOOD. The Battalion moved up to assembly trenches at 4.00am, 25th September, leaving behind 60 men to act as carriers.
The operations from the 25th to the 29th September 1916 appended.
OPERATIONS ON THE SOMME FROM 25th September to the 30th September 1916. Appendix II.
25th September. The Battalion started from BERNAFAY WOOD at 4.00am, marched through DELVILLE WOOD, and occupied trenches as follows by 6.00am. Headquarters and “D” Company SWITCH TRENCH, “A,” “B” and “C” Companies assembly trenches behind SWITCH TRENCH. The Battalion remained in these trenches till 1.00pm. (Zero being 12.25pm). At 1.00pm “D” and “C” Companies advanced across the open to follow up and occupy trenches vacated by the 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT as they advanced, and to support and reinforce them in case of necessity. Two platoons of “D” Company and two platoons of “C” Company reinforced the 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT when they were attacked by enemy machine guns in GIRD TRENCH, and they had a good many casualties from these machine guns, Major H. H. EMMERSON (Officer Commanding “C” Company) being killed, and Captain QUAYLE (Officer Commanding “D” Company) wounded. At 2.00pm Headquarters and “A” and “B” Companies advanced in artillery formation, as wounded men stated that the 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were in the village. Battalion Headquarters were established in BULL ROAD TRENCH, and the Battalion was disposed as follows:- Two platoons of “D” Company in PIONEER TRENCH, with oddments of 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT “A” Company and the remainder of “C” and “D” Companies in BULL ROAD TRENCH. “B” Company in BULL ROAD support. They remained in these positions during the night of 25th/26th, and these trenches were very heavily shelled during the night.
26th September. The Battalion advanced at 4.30pm preceded by patrols to take the final objective on the northern and eastern outskirts of GUEDECOURT. The barrage was fairly heavy and some few casualties took place. The leading platoons entered the village about 6.30pm and the village was not then being shelled by the enemy. No enemy were encountered in the southern portion of village, but the leading platoons, on reaching the LESBOEUFS - FACTORY CORNER ROAD through village, were heavily sniped and fired at by enemy machine guns. They held on to this line till dusk, when they were at once reinforced by the other platoons, and moved forward with very slight casualties to the orchards on the northern and eastern outskirts of village, and began consolidating. This was continued throughout the night with very slight molestation from enemy. The village itself and approaches to it, and especially its south western edge were, however, very heavily shelled. Headquarters were established at N.26.d.2.8. Touch was established with 62nd Infantry Brigade on the right at N.27.a.5.0., but it was till the morning of the 27th that connection was gained with the 55th Division on the left.
27th September. Consolidation was continued as far as possible by daylight, and during the night the posts on the northern edge were connected up. There was a certain amount of sniping, but the trenches were not heavily shelled. The village itself, and approaches to it were heavily shelled but very few casualties were sustained, as no troops were in the village.
28th September. Situation remained the same. At midnight a strong patrol under 2nd Lieutenant J. B. GARNER and a party of Pioneers went out to GARDEN TRENCH, and made a small post with blocks on either side to deny its occupation by the enemy.
29th September. Situation same. At 9.00pm the Battalion was relieved by the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT The relief was complete by 11.30pm. A certain number of casualties were caused to both Battalion’s by enemy’s bombardment of village and its approaches.
30th September. The Battalion returned to its former bivouac near BERNAFAY WOOD, arriving there at 1.00am. The casualties suffered by the Battalion during these operations, were as follows:-
Officers killed Major H. H. EMMERSON, Captain G. M. G. GILLETT, 2nd Lieutenant W. E. ROBINSON. Officers wounded Captain G. A. QUAYLE, Lieutenant A. V. DAGG, Lieutenant F. WOOLNOUGH, 2nd Lieutenant’s. A. C. NICHOLLS, C. H. HIGSON, A. M. DIXON, E. G. LANE–ROBERTS, E. J. HODGSON, F. GILDING and G. H. BOWEN. Other ranks killed 32, missing 25 and wounded 141.
On Friday October 13th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” - MELTON SOLDIER’S KILLED. – PTE. GEORGE MILLER. According to a letter which has reached Melton Mowbray from one of his friends in the Leicester’s, Pte. G. Miller has been killed in action, but no confirmation had been received up to yesterday. He was a son of Mr. Arthur Miller, Long Clawson, and brother of Pte. W. Miller, Melton, who is serving in the South Stafford’s. Pte. Miller was 22 years of age, and was formerly employed as auxiliary postman at Melton Mowbray, but afterwards worked for his father. He enlisted in March this year, and went to the front in July.
On Friday October 20th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – NEWS FROM THE WAR OFFICE. Mr. and Mrs. A. Miller received the news that their son, Pte. Geo. Miller, had been killed by a shell, and Mrs. John Harby, widow has been notified that her son, Pte. Richard Harby, is either wounded or missing. Pte. Harby has been wounded twice before and it is about a fortnight since Mrs. Harby received the news that her eldest son was killed. Deep sympathy is expressed throughout the village with both families.
On Friday October 27th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. MEMORIAL SERVICE. A most impressive service was conducted by the Rev. C. T. Lander at the Wesleyan Chapel on Friday to the memory of Pte. Geo. Miller, an old member of the Sunday School, which he had attended for seventeen years. The rev. gentleman delivered a most touching address to a good congregation, which represented all denominations of the village, together with the family of the deceased soldier, who was highly respected throughout Clawson and district.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
George had another brother, James Arthur Miller, born in 1886.

The family lived at The Chestnuts on East End in Long Clawson- their father, John Arthur was a carpenter and wheelwright.

Members of the family still live in Long Clawson and there is a memorial here on The Sands, in the village.
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Submitted by A. Miller in 2019

Leicestershire Project Findings
  • Conflict - World War I
Research from Michael Doyle's Their Name Liveth For Evermore
  • Unit - Leicestershire Regiment
  • Cause of death - KILLED IN ACTION
  • Burial Commemoration - Thiepval Mem., Somme, France
  • Born - Long Clawson, Leicestershire
  • Enlisted - Long Clawson, Leicestershire
  • Place of Residence - Long Clawson, Leicestershire, England
  • Memorial - ST. REMIGIUS'S CHURCH, LONG CLAWSON, LEICS

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