Pte 76306 William Hedley Miller

[Tim Bell]

Pte Miller (born 1898) served overseas with 20th Bttn after 1915.
William died at home in Grantham, whilst on Furlough on 5/2/1919, aged 21. Reg Grantham Q1 1919 7a/748.
Son of Hedley and Sarah Worthington Miller,acacia house,Bottesford, Leicestershire.
IFCP seeking DC.

[Tim Bell]

William died from Acute Pneumonia at home with his sister Marjorie Sybil Miller. His occupation states farmers son, but the other evidence is good enough for commemoration, I'm told.

Buried St Mary the Virgin parish church, Bottesford Churchyard. Plot 301.

Obits here https://www.bottesfordhistory.org.uk/content/war-service/william-hedley-miller

[Tim Bell]

I've been looking at similar service numbers for Wm Miller and found he was probably part of a draft to 2nd Bttn on 12-13/10/1918.  Men in this draft had been transferred to 3rd Bttn in June 1918 after being mobilised to 3rd Leicestershires (49000 number series) in May 1918. 2nd Lieutenant James Kirk VC & other Subalterns probably joined with the draft on 13/10/1918. The War Diary doesn't mention the draft or number of men.
Six months after their mobilisation, they found themselves in the fray at Ors on 4 November 1918.  This must have been an incredible introduction and illustrates the inexperienced nature of some of the men who served in the attack over the Sambre-Oise canal.

[PhilipG]

Tim, as regards drafts: -

Wilfred Owen's letter to his mother dated 10th October 1918 reports that at 3 o'clock in the morning a large draft from Scarborough arrived.    He is particularly cheerful as some of them remember him.   PhilipG.

[Tim Bell]

Thanks Philip,
I suspect Miller was in a later draft to the men arriving from 5th Bttn, as it appears he'd been posted to 3rd Bttn at Cleethorpes.  I find the connections fascinating though.

[Tim Bell]

William Miller has a legible inscription on his well maintained private headstone at Bottesford.  No further action for commemoration.

[Tim Bell]

William Miller's commemoration was approved by CWGC today. He now has an entry in UKBOR, pending acceptance of his burial at St Mary's, Bottesford, where he has a clear inscription on the family headstone.