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Auction: 19052 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction
Lot: 1

Family medals, father and son:

A Great War 'German Spring Offensive' D.C.M. group of four awarded to Acting Corporal G. Miller, Royal Engineers, who was decorated for repeatedly placing himself in an exposed position in order to observe enemy targets and direct the fire of Allied troops. He later became a casualty

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (546286 L.Cpl.- A.Cpl.- G. Miller. 509/Lond:Fd: Coy. R.E.); 1914-15 Star (1292, Spr. G. Miller, R.E.); British War and Victory Medal (1292 A.Cpl. G. Miller. R.E.), minor edge nicks and contact marks, nearly very fine and better

Three: Sub-Lieutenant N. Miller, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, unnamed as issued, very fine (7)

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the defence of a strong point. He repeatedly exposed himself under very heavy enemy fire, in order to observe targets and direct the fire of the garrison. His courage and energy greatly assisted the garrison in holding out.'

George Miller served as a Sapper with the Royal Engineers in France from 26 April 1915. He likely saw service with the 1st London Field Company, R.E., and may have been present when 6th Division claimed the village of Hooge in late July 1917 by using a landmine to great effect. The Germans later successfully counter-attacked using flamethrowers, but their progress was heavily hampered by barbed wire laid by the Engineers.

In late 1917 the 1st London Field Company, R.E., was renamed the 509th Field Company, R.E., and was posted to the Lagnicourt Sector of northern France. It was here - between Hermies and Noreuil - that the Germans had penetrated the Australian front line with heavy losses in April 1917, and it was this same sector of the front line which would face a similar onslaught a year later.
On 21 March 1918 the German army launched the Kaiserschlacht, commencing with Operation Michael - the first of four German drives using stormtroopers which were designed to break through Allied lines, outflank the British Army, decimate British forces, and force the French to seek terms. Attacking on the Somme, the men of the 509th Field Company felt the full force of the fast moving German elite units. Using to great effect the elements of surprise and numerical superiority - 58 Divisions against 16 - the Germans created a wide breach in the space of a few hours, but their supply lines became stretched and the advance faltered.

The Germans launched the second phase - Operation Georgette - on 9 April 1918, and the initial attacks mirrored the successes of Michael. A spectacular breakthrough on the Lys was followed by the capture of Estaires on 9-10 April and Messines Ridge the following day. Several British divisions did their best to check the German advance with the sparse means at their disposal, including barricading the streets of Armentieres with whatever they could find, whilst others collapsed under the weight of attack. Aware of the fate which befell the Portuguese Expeditionary Force at Neuve Chapelle, General Foch sent up huge numbers of French reinforcements and finally managed to stabilise the situation, despite a massive enemy bombardment on 25-26 April 1918.

At some point during these attacks Sapper George Miller became a casualty, his name appearing on the Weekly Casualty List (War Office and Air Ministry) on 30 April 1918. He recovered and was discharged Class 'Z' in 1919, later forging a long career with the Metropolitan Railway; sold with copied MIC and research, a gilt and enamel 34 Years' Service Metropolitan Railway fob, engraved 'G. Miller' to reverse, a further Metropolitan railway brooch-badge commemorating 100 years from 1863-1963, and an unnamed silver 1929 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Steward Medal.

Together with a copied group photograph of Norman Miller titled 'The first Navy types to arrive at Colditz.' Further research potential offered here.


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