James Miller (VC 1916)
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James Miller (4 May 1890-31 July 1916) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 26 years old, and a private in the 7th Battalion, The King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 30/31 July 1916 at Bazentin-le-Petit, France, the battalion was consolidating its position and 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 almost immediately mortally wounded. In spite of this he managed to deliver the message and to stagger back with the answer, falling dead at the feet of the officer to whom he delivered it.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The King's Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment Museum (Lancaster, England).
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Somme (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)
