Name
Edward Miller
21 Jan 1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/07/1916
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/6765
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
All Saints' Church Memorial(s), Hockerill, Bishop's Stortford Town Memorial
Pre War
Edward Miller was born on 21 Jan 1893 in Bishop's Stortford (baptised at Holy Trinity, Bishop's Stortford on 26 Mar 1893) to James Miller, labourer and Ellen (nee Hutchin). On the 1891 Census his parents were living at New Town Road, Bishop Stortford with Henry (born 1885), James Arthur1888), Bennet or Bertie (born 1891).
On the 1901 Census, the family of parents, Henry, James Arthur, Bennet or Bertie, Edward, Kate (born 1897) were living at 101 High Cross Road, Tottenham. By the 1911 Census the family of parents, Edward, Kate, Rose (born 1902), George (born 1905), John (born 1906) had moved to Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham and Edward was working as a Bricklayer’s Labourer.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Edward. He volunteered as Territorial Soldier as Private 4/6765 in the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and went to France on 11 Nov 1914 in a Draft of 100 other Ranks to join 2nd Battalion of the Regiment at Bailleul, Ypres on 15 Nov 1914. Edward probably took part in the following Battle while with the 2nd Battalion: Neuve Chapelle (Mar 1915), Festubert May 1915, Loos (Oct 1915) and in 1916 the Battle of Albert (Battle of the Somme) July 1916.
On 11 Jul 1916 at Trones Wood on the Somme Battlefield the Battalion were in position by 1.20 am following orders that had been received that they were to enter the wood at 3.20. The enemy opened fire with machine guns and the Battalion suffered many casualties as the wood was strongly held and full of trenches and dug-outs. Eventually, after a long day, intense fighting with bombs and bayonets and the loss of up to 50% casualties and wounded, they were forced to withdraw. It was during this action that Edward was reported Missing believed killed and subsequently his death was presumed to be 11 Jul 1916. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Additional Information
His father James received a War Gratuity of £9 and arrears of £8 16s 10d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
