Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Miller, a railway labourer, born 1840 in Nether Broughton, Leicestershire and his wife Anne Miller (nee Brewin, married on the 10th October 1870 in the Parish Church, Nether Broughton, Leicestershire), born 1850 in Nether Broughton. Enoch was born in the 3rd quarter of 1878 in Nether Broughton, his siblings were, Mary Ann, a schoolgirl, born 1872, John, a schoolboy, born 1873 Fanny, a schoolgirl, born 1876 and Hannah, born 1881, all his siblings were born in Nether Broughton, in April 1881 the family home was in Nether Broughton. In April 1891 Enoch was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Chapel Lane, Nether Broughton, together with his father, a railway platelayer, his mother and siblings, William, a stoker, born 1870 in Nether Broughton, Mary, a dressmaker, John, Hannah, a schoolgirl, Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1886 and Walter, born 1891, the latter two siblings were both born in Nether Broughton. In the 3rd quarter of 1894 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, Enoch’s mother died aged 44. In March 1901 Enoch was residing in the family home at Chapel Lane, Nether Broughton, together with his widowed father, a grazier and farm labourer and his siblings, Hannah, Elizabeth and Walter. In April 1911 Enoch was absent from the family home in Nether Broughton, residing there was his widowed father, a grazier and his brother Walter, a farm labourer, Enoch was employed as a farm labourer and was residing as a boarder in Nether Broughton. Enoch was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 30 Jun-16 – FERME DU BOIS. 3.05am. Battalion attacked enemy front and support line and succeeded in entering same. The support line was occupied for about ½ hour and the front line for 4 hours. The withdrawal was necessitated by the supply of bombs and ammunition giving out and the heavy enemy barrage on our front line and communication trenches, prevented reinforcements being sent forward. Operation orders are attached to Diary. The Battalion was relieved by the 14th HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT at 10.00am and marched to LES LOBES after resting at RICHBOURG.
Casualties 30/6/16: Other ranks. Killed 21. Missing reported killed 35. Wounded 236. Missing 120 Total 412.
List of Officer casualties attached.
Officers’ Casualties during engagement of 30th June 1916.
Lieutenant Colonel IMPEY, G. H. Wounded.
Captain COTTON, A. N. Killed in action.
Lieutenant BOYS, S. C. Wounded.
Lieutenant SPARKS, C. Killed in action.
Lieutenant ROBINSON, H. C. T. Wounded.
2nd Lieutenant FENCHELLE, G. J. Killed in action.
2nd Lieutenant AMBLER, G. Wounded.
2nd Lieutenant ARKCOLL, F. T. Killed in action.
2nd Lieutenant HANBY, F. J. Missing.
2nd Lieutenant MOODY, L. L. Killed in action.
2nd Lieutenant MERCER, J. Wounded.
2nd Lieutenant DORMAN, C. C. B. Wounded.
2nd Lieutenant MOYLE, F. W. Missing.
2nd Lieutenant ARDILL, J. Missing.
2nd Lieutenant SWALLOW, S. H. Missing.
2nd Lieutenant MASON, F. A. Wounded.
2nd Lieutenant SALBERG, J. B. Missing.
On Friday July 14th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – NETHER BROUGHTON. – LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED. – Quite a gloom was cast over the village on Monday morning when it became known that Pte. E. (Nickey) Miller had fallen in action in France. The following letter was received by Mr. A. W. Greaves (brother-in-law) with whom Pte. Miller had resided before joining the colours: “12th Royal Sussex Regt., B.E.F., France, June 5th, 1916. Dear Sir,- I am writing to express the great regret of myself and the only remaining officer of the Company at the death of your brother-in-law, Pte. E. Miller. As you will doubtless have heard, our battalion took part in a small engagement on the 30th June last, when in the words of the Army Corps Commander, who inspected the remains of the battalion, ‘All ranks acquitted themselves with extreme gallantry, and added fresh laurels to the regiment.’ I understand he was shot through the heart, so probably suffered no pain. At all events we are all - officers and men - extremely sorry to lose him, as he was a man who made himself liked and respected by everybody. Please let me offer you and his relatives our deepest sympathy in your loss. Yours Sincerely, - H. K. Robinson.” The letter was addressed on the envelope by Pte. H. Turner, of the same Company, who was previous to enlisting, a farm servant with Mr. A. W. Greaves, and we understand has come through the engagement unscathed. Pte. Miller was well known in the neighbourhood as a cricketer being good with both bat and ball, and only last year when on leave, a special match was played in his honour. Of a bright and cheerful disposition, his merry whistle was constantly heard in the village street, and a general feeling of regret as is expected that his life should have been cut short. The utmost sympathy is felt for his aged father, brothers, and sisters and fiancée. At the Council School, on receipt of the painful news, the flag was hoisted at half-mast.
On Friday July 21st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – NETHER BROUGHTON. – MEMORIAL SERVICE. – A fine tribute of respect and admiration for two brave lads was paid on Sunday evening, when the village church had practically every seat filled, the occasion being a memorial service for the late Pte’s. E. Miller and A. Gregory, both of this village, and both in the same company of the 12th Sussex Regt. We should perhaps state that there is “just a chance” to use the officer’s words, that Pte. Gregory was taken prisoner, but they fear he has been killed. Pte. Miller was well known locally as a cricketer, and many were present who had been comrades in many a keenly fought game on the cricket field. In the absence of the Rector, the service was conducted by the Rev. A. H. Steacy, of Ecclesfield, who is acting as locum tenens, and who preached an eloquent discourse on the text “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” This, he said, we must all set up to. Tonight we meet to honour the memory of two brave lads who went forth at duty’s call to fight for King and country. One, E. Miller, was at one time a member of the choir, a scholar in the Sunday School, and also, I am told fond of manly sport, ever ready to take his place in the cricket field, of a cheerful disposition, and merry and bright. From his officer’s letter, he carried the same cheery spirit with him to that horrible place, the battlefield, and there as in his games he was eager and ready, until an enemy’s bullet found his heart. The other, a mere lad, but still as eager as his comrades, died pressing on to the third line trench of the enemy. We feel they will get the “Well done, good and faithful servant” for they were fighting for their fellow men and loved ones at home, and although we mourn their loss, we feel they have set us a fine example, and been “faithful unto death.” Some of the hymns were chosen by the relatives as favourites of the deceased. There was nothing sombre about the service, and during the singing of hymn 304 (a. and m.) there seemed an inspiration in the singing as the words came forth “crown Him, the Lord of Peace, Whose power a sceptre sways, from pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.” At the close the Dead March in “Saul” was played on the organ by Miss Lovett.
On Friday July 28th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CRICKETER IN FRANCE.” – Pte. P. M. Kew, of the Leicesters, in France, a former member of the Quorn Hunt and Heversham School Cricketers writes to us on July 18th, as follows:- In taking up your interesting paper, one was very sorry to read the news of the death in action of Pte. E. Miller (Nether Broughton), of the Royal Sussex Regt. I am sure that all good sportsmen – especially followers of the Wisden Code – in Melton Mowbray, and Belvoir Vale will receive this with keen regret, and feel they have lost a personal friend. Ever popular on the field, his presence will be much missed. One however, can get a little consolation from the fact that he died a noble death – in action – like so many of our sportsmen who are fighting for freedom in this great war. The empire, Death, has claimed him, however. In this great “match” we get so many “deliveries” we are not always able to “cut” or “drive” out of bounds. May we soon hope that the last “run” will be obtained and “over” called with time and victory ours.
On Friday April 13th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “NETHER BROUGHTON” – UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET.- On Easter Sunday evening St. Mary’s Church was crowded, in addition to the ordinary worshippers being a large number of relatives and friends of the late Pte. E. Miller. Joyous as the Easter services are, the congregation were reminded of the tragedy of war when, after the reading of the second lesson, the organ began to sound forth the deep notes that open the “Dead March in Saul.” The rector then went slowly down the aisle to the north wall of the church, where the Union Jack covered a marble tablet, saying the words “In the name of the Holy Trinity, I unveil this tablet to the memory of a brave soldier.” He pulled the cord, and the flag fell. Returning to his place, the service proceeded. The rector took for his text, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore. Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Rev.i.18. The preacher made reference to the late Pte. Miller, and said it was a noble thought to place in their parish church a memorial to a village lad who had gone forth at great crisis in their country’s history to stand between the foe and our homes and all that we hold dear. Probably he may have only felt that he did his plain duty as a soldier, but in doing that he had suffered and bled and died to save us from the encroachment of the enemy. Popular among the people of the village, his name and doings were constantly spoken of, so that he did not seem dead – his spirit still lived among them – and in years to come the young people of today would bring their children to the old church and pointing to the tablet would tell them of this great war and how it had been erected by friends and admirers of one who went forth at the call of duty and gave his life for his country. The tablet is of white marble on a black back ground, and the inscription which is surmounted by the carved badge of the Royal Sussex Regiment, is as follows:- “To the memory of Pte. Enoch Miller, Royal Sussex Regiment, killed in action June 30th 1916 bravely fighting for his King and country. ‘Faithful unto Death.’ Interred at Richebourg St. Vaast, France. This tablet was erected by his cricketing comrades and admirers.”
On Friday June 29th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. MILLER.- In loving memory of my dear brother Enoch, killed in action June 30th 1916.
Its sweet to think we’ll meet again.
When all our partings o’er.
That our dear Nick I loved so well.
Has only gone before.
From his loving sister Tot. Nether Broughton.
On Friday June 28th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – MILLER. – In loving memory of Pte. Enock (Nicky) Miller, Royal Sussex Regiment, who was killed in action June 30th, 1916.
Deeply missed by his comrades and friends.
His cheerful smile and loving face.
Are pleasant to recall.
He always had a kindly word.
And died beloved of all.
From his ever loving sorrowing sister, Tot.