James Miller (VC 1916)

Carried a vital message and reply despite a desperate wound.

James Miller was born at Taylor’s Farm near Hoghton, Lancashire, on 13 March 1890. He grew up in a large family and attended Abbey Village school. A footballer in civilian life, he worked at the paper mill at Withnell Fold before joining the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in September 1914.

Miller served in the 7th Battalion and went overseas in July 1915. He experienced fighting in the Lens and Loos area before the battalion moved to the Somme in April 1916. In July it fought around La Boisselle and later Bazentin-le-Petit.

During the night of 30–31 July, the battalion needed support to hold a newly captured position. Miller was ordered to carry a message across exposed ground and bring back a reply. Almost immediately after leaving cover, he was shot through the body. Pressing a hand against his abdominal wound, he continued to the destination, delivered the message and returned with the answer. He collapsed after handing the reply to the waiting officer and died from his wound.

Miller’s Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously. Unmarried, he was buried in Dartmoor Cemetery at Becordel-Becourt. George V presented the decoration to his father at Buckingham Palace in November 1916. His death was one of several wartime losses suffered by the Miller family.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery. His battalion was consolidating a position after its capture by assault. Private Miller was ordered to take an important message under heavy shell and rifle fire and to bring back a reply at all costs. He was compelled to cross the open, and on leaving the trench was shot almost immediately in the back, the bullet coming out through his abdomen. In spite of this, with heroic courage and self-sacrifice, he compressed with his hand the gaping wound in his abdomen, delivered his message, staggered back with the answer, and fell at the feet of the officer to whom he delivered it. He gave his life with a supreme devotion to duty.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 8 September 1916. 9 September 1916, Numb. 29740, p. 8871