Arthur Morley Miller
A. M. Miller
Service no. C/4039
Lance Serjeant, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 20th Battalion
Born in Clapham; enlisted in Battersea; lived in Clapham
Died of wounds on 30 September 1917 age 27
CWGC: “Son of William and Emma Miller, of Clapham; husband of K. F. Miller, of 50, Chelsham Rd., Clapham, London.”
Remembered at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium
Arthur Morley Miller. Photo (c) Marietta Crichton Stuart
British Army WWI Service Records 1914-1920
Arthur Morley Miller joined the King’s Royal Rifle Corps at Battersea on 28 June 1915. He gave his address as 27 Courland Grove, Clapham and described himself as a clerk. The Army assessed him as being 5 feet 5 inches, with a 34½ inch chest which he could expand by 2½ inches. His one distinguishing mark was two moles under his left nipple.
He had no charges on his conduct form and by the time he died of wounds on 20 September 1917 he had risen to become Lance Serjeant. In October 1916 he was wounded and was sent back to England for treatment. At the London General Hospital at Poplar, east London, a doctor described the shrapnel wound to his left hand as a flesh wound with the bones not affected but the tendons exposed. He was discharged after three months and sent back to the front.
He must have had another period of leave because he married Kathleen Florence Cherrill on 16 February 1917. She later received his effects: a crucifix, 2 razors, a French book, letters, a religious book, a cap badge, dentures, diary, a wrist watch and strap, photos, a fountain pen and a whistle. When the Army sent Arthur’s medals, they described him as a Corporal. Florence wrote back: “Am sorry to note you have put Cpl. Miller on both my husband’s medals. He was a L. Sgt.”
Information from the 1911 census
Arthur Morley Miller, 20, was a builder’s clerk. He lived at 27 Courland Grove, where his large family occupied six rooms – he had 11 siblings and half-siblings. His father, Arthur William Miller, 53, worked as a carman. He was born in Lambeth. His mother, Emma Eliza Miller, 49, was from Marylebone, central London. An aunt, Alice Kate Miller, 55, a single machinist of underclothing, lived with the family. Eight children of Arthur William Miller were on the census return:
Alice Kate Miller, 31, born in Lambeth
Albert Ernest Miller, 24, a carpenter, born in Clapham
Arthur Morley Miller, 20, born in Clapham
Louise Emma Miller, 19, a laundry packer, born in Clapham
Elsie Elizabeth Miller, 17, a book folder, born in Clapham
Frederick John Miller, 14, an office boy to an electrical engineer, born in Clapham (he also served in the Army)
Dorothy Ethel Miller, 9, born in Clapham
Amy Eliza Miller, 6, born in Clapham