The Marillier-Miller Family in the Great War Officers in the Seaforth Highlanders, Manchester Regiment, Machine Gun Corps & Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Battlefield Sleuth Series – 2018
Tim Bell
A Military Biography The Marillier-Millers were a well-educated middle class family from Essex, who relocated to Scotland in the early years of the 20th Century. This record provides some illustration of their military life, service and experiences during the Great War. Four of the boys enlisted in the Army as Private Soldiers; and subsequently received their commissions in English, Scottish & Welsh Infantry Regiments and the Machine Gun Corps.
Charles and Helen Marillier-Miller Circa 1899. L-R Ronald, Helen, Ralph, Gerrard Charles and Rex. Kenneth was born 1901.
Ralph Marillier Miller was the Platoon Commander of the author’s grandfather during the Battle of the Somme. Private Arthur Bell recounted the bravery of Ralph in his journal and these observations inspired the research. The journal is published close to the Centenary of the Great War Armistice; a matter of days following the death of the fourth son Gerrard. Contributions have been received from Ralph’s nephew John Margetson Place. Significant records and photos have also been provided Ralph’s niece, Sue Butcher (nee Marillier Miller) and her husband Geoff. We share the commemoration of these young men with their family.
Index Early life and education Gerrard Charles – Seaforth Highlanders Ralph – Army Service Corps & Manchester Regiment Ronald Henry – Motor Machine Gun Service & Machine Gun Corps Reginald (Rex) – Royal Welsh Fusiliers Post-War and family life Acknowledgements Battlefield Sleuth Series
Battlefield Sleuth Series – November 2018
Early life and education Charles and Helen Louisa Marillier Miller lived in Felsted, Essex in the last few year of Queen Victoria’s reign. Charles Marillier Miller had married Helen Louisa Mary de HochepiedLarpent at Lancaster Gate, London in 1891.
The family remained in East Anglia, where further sons, Ronald Henry (July 1897) and Reginald (known as Rex) de Hochepied were born at Copford Hall (24th May 1899). This was the ancestral home of the Harrison family, who were Helen’s mother’s parents. The fifth son, Kenneth, was baptised in Suffolk in 1901. The family then lived in Lowestoft. There are records of the Copford Hall furniture being sold in 1900. Helen Miller had a somewhat distinguished heritage, being related to the English and Hungarian aristocracy, including King Henry IV and the Bishop of Glasgow. Her family also had military connections, including a ViceAdmiral in the Royal Navy and her brother, Lionel William Peppe de Hochepied Larpent, who had been an officer in the Boer War, with the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Bury Norwich Post & Suffolk Standard 1.9.1891
Charles was a school Master and graduate of Pembroke College, Cambridge; having been born in Eccles, Manchester.
The Marillier Miller family lived at Copford Hall , near Colchester for some years. This was the ancestral home of the Harrison family, who were Helen’s mother’s parents. There are records of some the Copford Hall furniture being sold by Charles in 1900. The Hall remained in Harrison family ownership.
University of Cambridge Register Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer10 August 1918 C Marillier Miller Tuition Advert
Charles was Assistant Master at St Peter’s College, York (1888-93), when his first son, Gerrard Charles was born in May 1892. Charles then became Headmaster of the Preparatory Department of Felsted School in Essex (1893-96), when his daughter Helen Renee (1894) and second son Ralph (1896), were born.
The family moved to North Berwick in Scotland, where Charles taught at Abbey School (1901-1913). He then became a private tutor, assisting pupils with Oxbridge entrance examinations.
Three of the boys attended Glenalmond College in Perthshire, with Rex and Kenneth subsequently boarding at Fettes College in Edinburgh. The brothers made their mark at Glenalmond. Gerrard joined the College from Abbey School, North Berwick in 1905 and became School Captain and Captain of the Rugby XV and Gymnastics XVIII. Gerrard left Glenalmond in 1911 and farmed in Rhodesia and South Africa, before returning to farm in England.
Marillier-Miller Family Circa 1901. L-R Front Rex and Ronald. Centre Helen. Rear Gerrard and Ralph. Kenneth’s Scholarship to Fettes. The Scotsman 23 July 1914
Ralph suffered ill-health during his school years at Glenalmond, between 1905 and 1913. School records show he spent some of the time at home and ‘to his great grief forbidden to take part in games’. He gained employment as a Pupil Farmer, which seems to have been a form of agricultural apprenticeship.
The British Government declared War on 4th August and the elder four brothers all served in the Army. The record of the Marillier Miller sons will follow their respective ages in the family.
Ronald left Glenalmond with Ralph in summer 1913 and went to study a Diploma in Mining Engineering at Heriot-Watt College in Edinburgh. Rex had joined Glencourse House at Fettes College in 1913. He remained at the school for three and a half years, prior to joining the Army in July 1917. In 1914, Rex became a member to the Fettes College Contingent of the Officer Training Corps (OTC).
Gerrard, Ralph and Ronald’s School Register
Rex and Kenneth’s School Register
Gerrard Charles – Seaforth Highlanders Gerrard Charles Marillier Miller – Eldest son. Enlisted as Private and later Captain in 9th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
GCM Miller with 8th Seaforth Highlanders in 1915
Gerrard Charles Marillier Miller-Courtesy Peakirk Parish Council. Note Pioneer Collar Badge.
Gerrard left his farming job and is recorded as enlisting in the Army on 7th August 1914. He would have initially served in the Ranks and subsequently became an Officer Cadet. Gerrard received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry on 19th March 1915. Gerrard embarked for France and joined the 9th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. He joined in the field, with three other subalterns, on 7th October 1915. The 9th Seaforths were the Pioneer Battalion for 9th (Scottish) Division and had arrived in France in May 1915. On the day Gerrard arrived in France, the 9th Battalion were located near Ypres at Bedford House and Canada Huts. Later in the War, Gerrard was promoted Lieutenant and Acting Captain and appears to have been attached or posted to 8th Battalion at some stage.
By June 1916, the 9th Seaforths were located in the Somme area and on the 12th June attached to 30th Division, for work at Bray sur Somme. Gerrard will have met some of the 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment officers. They were to become colleagues of his brother Ralph, within a matter of days. The Seaforths helped prepare the assembly trenches and front line, near Maricourt, in anticipation of the 30th Division assault on Montauban. The Battalion moved to Grovetown before Ralph arrived at the front. The Seaforths had returned to the Montauban area on 10th July 1916. Ralph and 17th Manchesters may have passed through the Seaforth working party; repairing the Montauban – Maricourt Road, on the return from their assault on Trones Wood. This would be the last occasion that any family members would have been able to see Ralph. Gerrard was in command 10 Platoon of C Company. His working party took stores from the Royal Engineers dump on the Maricourt Road, to Breslau Point south of Montauban, on the night of 13th July. Numerous 1st July casualties of Ralph’s Battalion were buried near Breslau Point. The Seaforths then advanced north through Montauban to assembly positions in Caterpillar Valley, alongside infantry from 27th Brigade.
G C M Miller 9th Seaforths June 1918 Seaforths on the Montauban – Maricourt, repaired by Gerrard’s Company. 14th July 1916. IWM Q4012
On 14th July, the Seaforths were part of the assault on the village of Longueval. Gerrard’s Platoon had advanced, but was unable to construct a strong point “Keep” north of the village. The Seaforths later withdrew to Caterpillar Valley. Three men had been killed and 22 wounded. Gerrard’s Platoon returned to Longueval on the night of 16th July; and subsequent nights. The War Diary casualty summary indicates Gerrard was wounded on 7th and 30th August 1916. The 9th Seaforths had marched to Bois de la Haie on 31st July and remained in the area for the next month. Therefore, it seems he was wounded on two occasions, while C Company was involved with reconstruction of the light railway in the Zouave Valley. It is anticipated these were accidental or minor wounds, allowing him to return to duty soon after treatment. There are no further records of Gerrard in the Battalion War Diary. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 25th May 1917, presumably relating to an event in the Arras area in the preceding months. Gerrard was promoted to the rank of Acting Captain on 20th July 1917, most likely in Command of one of the 9th Battalion Companies. Gerrard was posted to England for six months duty on 17th October 1917. He found time to marry Lilias Margaret Faithful on 18th April 1918. Lilias was the daughter of the daughter of the Rector of Peakirk, near Peterborough. He returned to duty with 9th Battalion on 30th April 1918. The 9th Seaforths were training at a camp in Watou, behind the lines near Ypres.
Gerrard relinquished the Acting Captain rank on 17th July 1918. The 9th Seaforths were near Antwerp when the Armistice was agreed on 11th November and moved the Germany in December 1918. The 9th Seaforths had suffered 10 dead officers, 42 wounded and 4 gassed during hostilities. Gerrard relinquished his commission with the Seaforth Highlanders on 19th May 1919, retaining the rank of Lieutenant. The War Diary indicates he had been struck off the strength of the 9th Battalion on 25th May. The discrepancy indicates that Gerrard had probably been attached to another posting prior to these dates. Post war records for Peakirk Village indicate that Gerrard was Mentioned in Despatches on two occasions in 1919, although this is not evident from official records. Peakirk records also identify Gerrard served with 26th Brigade Headquarters and 9th Division staff. No confirmation has been found of these postings, although they seem reasonable prospects for an experienced officer from 9th Division.
Seaforth Highlanders Cap Badge
Ralph – Army Service Corps & Manchester Regiment
Ralph initially joined Number 2 Remount Depot in Edinburgh and was posted to Woolwich on 9th January 1915.
Ralph Marillier Miller – Second Son. Strapper in Army Service Corps Remounts and 2nd Lieutenant in 25th, attached 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment
Number 3 Remount Depot was established at Janval and Hautot Camps, near Dieppe and Ralph served with 17th Squadron. A Remount Squadron consisted of approximately 200
After a very short introduction to military life, Ralph embarked on cargo ship S S Dalecrest and disembarked in France, with Number 3 Remount Depot on the night of 28th January 1915.
Army Remount Service Cap Badge
soldiers, who obtained and trained 500 horses. Ralph Marillier Miller- Courtesy his Niece Sue Butcher
Ralph volunteered in the Army Service Corps, TS/5278 (Transport Special) on 8th December 1914, quite possibly as part of the Derby Scheme. He attended his Medical on 31st December and formerly attested in Edinburgh on 5th January 1915. Ralph was 19 years and 39 days old, 5 feet 6 ¼ tall, with blue eyes, sallow complexion and dark brown hair. Despite earlier health issues, Ralph was described as Very Good physical development. His Service Record indicates Ralph was appointed as a Strapper. This term seems to refer to a groom of race horses and extended to relate to groups of horses in the military.
Ralph was hospitalised with impetigo on 3rd July and discharged on 16th July 1915. He was discharged to become an officer cadet in the Manchester Regiment on 17th July1915, arriving home in England the next day. He had Very good Military Character and his conduct was described as “good character and carried out all his duties willingly and satisfactorily.” Ralph trained as an officer cadet and became 2nd Lieutenant in the 17th Battalion. It seems certain that Ralph was accepted in the 17th Battalion at the request of his uncle Major Lionel William Peppe de Hochepied-Larpent. Major Larpent had been wounded in August 1914 serving with the Connaught Rangers. He had been appointed Adjutant of the 17th Battalion in December 1915 and assisted with
training and organisation. Major Larpent left for another posting in June 1915 and must have recommend his nephew to the Commanding Officer before his departure. It will also be seen that Major Larpent countersigned Ronald’s Application for a Commission. As a new Infantry subaltern, Ralph was not yet prepared for overseas service and he was posted to 25th (Training Reserve) Battalion at Altcar, Lancashire on 10th September 1915. Ralph returned to France on 29th June 1916 and he was attached to 17th Battalion, in the field, soon after. It is believed that Ralph was held in Reserve during the successful assault on Montauban on the first day of the Battle of the Somme – 1st July 1916.
Trones Wood, the Somme, - Stanley Llewellyn Jones
The Battalion returned to the action and Ralph was present in command of a Platoon of A Company on 9th July 1916. The Battalion advanced from Bernafay Wood near Montauban and successfully assaulted Trones Wood, to the east. Owing to the advanced position of Trones Wood, the German artillery bombardment made circumstances
impossible. The Manchesters were forced to withdraw later in the day, leaving many men killed, wounded or isolated groups remaining to be captured by the returning German infantry. Company Sergeant Major (CSM) 8196 Charles Roland Johnson, had been wounded at stage and he had been seen lying in no man’s land – in the field between the two woods. Ralph must have been asked to lead a party to recover CSM Johnson and he returned to his Platoon to seek assistance. Private 8055 Allan Arthur Bell described events on 10th July 1916:“Who will volunteer to bring back Sergt. Major “J” [Johnson] – this was Lieut. Jockey [Former Remount] M. [Miller] outside Trones Wood one day. How many hands out of about twenty men [Remaining of 60 at full strength]? Not one. Is there anyone here in my platoon? One hand – mine. Right, so we set off along the trenches. He has the revolver at the ready, and I have the stretcher. There’s not too much shelling from either side, quite a number of German soldiers offering no resistance –perhaps hoping we would take them back with us. The Lieutenant must have known where to look, for we got to the Sergt. Major without much trouble. He was quite unconscious, hit in the face and elsewhere. Nearby were some South African soldiers and one of them volunteered to help to carry the S.M. back to our lines. He – the S.M – was a very heavy man. My puttees provided a means of taking some of the weight from the hands to the shoulders. We went back over the top via the Briqueterie and the Sunken Road. The Jerry gunners were dropping two or three a minute at one point there. My ears rang more than a bit, I’ll say. By and by we got to a field ambulance, and Lieut. M. [Miller] was congratulated on his good work – the acting Colonel was there, I think.”
Pte AA Bell
CSM C R Johnson
nd
The 2 South African Infantry had held positions in Bernafay Wood, overseeing the withdrawal of the Manchesters. Private Walter Giddy recounted events of 10th July 1916 in his Diary that may correlate with the actions of Ralph and Arthur Bell:“We heard cries from the wood further down, and Geoghan and Edkins went to investigate, finding three wounded men lying down in the open. They had been lying there three days among their own dead, and had been buried a couple of times by their own shells, and the one brought in had been wounded again. They asked for four volunteers to bring in the other two, so off we went. It was an awful half hour, but we were well repaid by the grateful looks on their haggard faces.” The 17th Battalion returned to the front for an assault on the village of Guillemont. In the preceding days, the men had deepened an assembly trench in the fields, between Bernafay Wood and the recently liberated Trones Wood. By coincidence, it had been Gerrard’s 9th Seaforths which had originally dug this trench. 17th Manchesters took up positions in this assembly trench on the night of 29th July 1916. Ralph was killed by a direct hit from a gas shell. He had been tending to 2nd Lieutenant Stanley John Owen, who was suffering the effects of the German gas. Ralph was buried where he fell.
17th Battalion casualty list, including Ralph and 2nd Lt S J Owen, who he was assisting when Ralph was killed.
His Officer Commanding was probably Captain Edmund Fearenside. He wrote:“Although he had been with the regiment only a fortnight, he was liked by all, and he was a promising officer; he was struck by a shell, and killed outright.”
15.8.1916 Trench Map showing the area where Ralph and Arthur Bell saved CSM Johnson and the assembly trench parallel with Bernafay Wood, where Ralph was killed and is probably buried.
His Commanding Officer, Lt Col Grisewood wrote:“I found young Miller looking after another officer who had been badly gassed [2nd Lieutenant Owen]; he got up to explain … and a shell hit him full … a very capable officer; everything I gave him to do was well done. His brother officers loved him.”
The Chaplain (at Manchester) also wrote to Ralph’s parents. The Brigade Padre was Captain Wilfred Balleine, although it may have been the Padre from 25th Battalion who wrote:-
course. Would he have been one of Shakespeare’s ‘Even in the cannon’s mouth men’?”
“Your boy was really loved by officers and men … I had a great admiration for his simple, good character and his thought and care for his men won their genuine appreciation.” Charles Marillier-Miller received a Telegram confirming his son’s death on 14th August 1916. Ralph had not made a Will and his Effects were passed to his father. There was some confusion over the Ralph’s date of death and Regiment, as the War Office records indicated R.M. Miller had been serving with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). This must have created uncertainty until the correct identity and circumstances of Ralph’s loss became clear. Charles had received the final letter from Ralph a few weeks earlier. Ralph had enclosed the letter he had received from Thomas Johnson, the father of wounded CSM Charles Johnson. Sadly the wishes of Thomas Johnson had not come to fruition:-
Glenalmond School War Memorial inscription
Ralph’s battlefield grave was between Bernafay and Trones Wood; close to the place where he has rescued CSM Johnson. His burial was not identified after the war and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. His name is also inscribed on War Memorials at Glenalmond and North Berwick.
“We do want to tell you, for him and for ourselves, that your name will be often on our lips and always in our hearts. Thanks are poor, inadequate things for such service as you have rendered us, but we feel that the circumstances entitle us at least to count ourselves among those who are privileged to pray that you may go through safely and be restored to your own people whole and sound.” Private Arthur Bell remembered Ralph’s bravery in his journal in the 1960s:“Brave Jockey! Not many days after that [saving CSM Johnson] came the report that he had got a gas shell ‘all to himself’ – killed of
Ralph’s inscription on the Thiepval Memorial
Following transfer to Norwich war hospital CSM Charles Johnson eventually recovered
from wounds to his left foot, face, hands and thigh. He was discharged in February 1918 and convalesced in Weston-Super-Mare – with his parents Thomas and Mary Johnson – prior to returning to Manchester. Arthur Bell was also wounded on the Somme and recounted a later meeting with Charles Johnson. “I met Mr. J., the former S.M., at a re-union in Manchester – had seen him many times hobbling about outside his firm’s premises – but on this occasion I asked if he was glad to be alive – got no reply, and was too shy to tell him I took part in his rescue. I should not be surprised if the South African soldier had written to him.” The South African diarist, Walter Giddy, may have written to the Johnson family. Walter was killed near Arras in 1917. His friend Arthur Geoghan was killed on 9/10th July 1916 and Vernon Adkins had died of wounds on 14th July.
Pte W Giddy
Pte V Adkins
Manchester Regiment Cap Badge
Arthur Bell’s journal recording his exploits with Ralph and CSM Johnson.
Ronald Henry – Motor Machine Gun Service & Machine Gun Corps Motor Machine Gun Service Cap Badge
Ronald Henry Marillier Miller – Third son. Acting Bombardier Motor Machine Gun Service and 2nd Lieutenant Machine Gun Corps. Ronald was a 19 year old engineering student at Heriot Watt College when he enlisted as a Private 1169, in the Motor Machine Gun Service (MMGS). Ronald Attested on 15th May 1915, two months prior to his 18th birthday. He claimed to have been 19 years old. Ronald had served in the OTC at Heriot Watt and lived in Edinburgh. He joined the MMGS at
Bisley, Surrey on 19th May 1915. Ronald had undertaken his Medical in Edinburgh. He was 5’ 4” tall and 114 llbs. He had slight curvature of the spine and slightly weak vision with glasses. The MMGS was a specialist unit of the Royal Field Artillery and encompassed motorcycle and sidecar combinations, mounted with Vickers machine guns. The units were incorporated into the newly formed Machine Gun Corps (Motors) in October 1915.
14th Battery Motor Machine Gun Service Credit Edward John Bennett
During his training in England, Ronald was hospitalised at Tidworth with Rheumatism in November 1915 and at Fargo, Salisbury Plain, with Influenza in December 1915.
Ronald was demobilised from the Army on 6th January 1919 and relinquished his commission on 1st September 1921, retaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
Ronald was posted to 16th Battery of the Machine Gun Corps (Motors) and disembarked in France on 5th August 1916. He was transferred to 19th Battery as a Gunner on 30th August and promoted to Acting Bombardier on 13th November 1916. Ronald had a serious motor cycle accident and suffered concussion. He returned Home on 7th January 1917 and recovered in the Lord Derby Hospital, Warrington from 8th January to 25th April 1917. Ronald was posted to 6th Battery as a Lance Corporal on 8th August 1917 and applied for a commission soon after. Ronald’s father had written to the War Office encouraging them to accept Ronald for a commission. The response in December 1917 was negative, although this decision was reversed a few months later. His Application for a commission had been recommended by the former Warden of Glenalmond together with Ronald’s uncle, Major L de H Larpent. Major Larpent, who was then Deputy Assistant Adjutant General to the 2nd Division and based in Ipswich. Ronald trained at 23 Officer Cadet Battalion at Catterick from April 1918. He was discharged from the ranks on 25th September 1918 and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on the next day. Ronald’s eyesight had precluded his commission in the Tank Corps and he returned to the Machine Gun Corps. He had served 30 months at Home and 5 months with the BEF and it appears Ronald remained at Home for his commissioned service.
Ronald Henry Marillier Miller-Courtesy his daughter Sue Butcher
Reginald (Rex) – Royal Welsh Fusiliers Rex de Hochepied Marillier Miller – 4th Son. Private in Northumberland Fusiliers and 2nd Lieutenant Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Rex had applied for a commission on 27th April 1917, stating a preference for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), or Machine Gun Corps Motors Section, where Ronald was serving. He was selected to be an Officer Cadet and continued his training for a commission in the Garrison Cadet Battalion at Cambridge from 5thth October 1917. He was later posted to a Service Cadet Battalion, with the notation from his Commanding Officer:“This Cadet is very anxious to obtain a commission in the Machine Gun Corps. He is a smart Cadet and should make a good officer.” Various Medical Reports had raised repeated concerns relating to Rex’s eye sight, yet his standard of vision with glasses was ultimately deemed acceptable. His poor eyesight may explain why he was not accepted for a commission in the RFC or MGC. It is anticipated that Rex would have been rejected for General Service if his Medical Assessment had taken place in the earlier years of the Great War.
Possibly Rex aged 18. Credit Fettes Community
Rex enlisted as a Private 61339 in the Northumberland Fusiliers on 19th April 1917, at Glencore, south of Edinburgh. He was 17 years and 11 months old, 5’ 6” tall and noted his occupation as a Student – studying at Fettes College. Rex was held on Army Reserve until October. He trained with Fettes College Officer Training Corps (OTC) during the intervening period in Reserve and was posted to 35th (Reserve) Battalion from July 1917. He served two years and two terms with Fettes Contingent OTC, from September 1914 and held the rank of Private.
Rex was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry on 16th December 1917, aged 18. He was then posted the No 2 School in England on 6th April 1918 and subsequently 3rd Garrison Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Crosshaven in Ireland on 3rd July1918. A further Medical Board had assessed Rex’s eyesight and despite determining 20% disability, confirmed he was Class A, fit for General Service. Rex was attached to the 14th (Service) Battalion for overseas service on 18th September 1918, when he disembarked at Boulogne. Service Records indicate Rex’s arrival with the 14th Battalion on 19th October 1918. 14th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers were part of 113th Brigade of the 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division was successfully advancing eastwards, against the depleted German Army; at significant cost to both sides. The Battalion took part in various assaults and
Northumberland Fusiliers Cap Badge
defences against counter-attacks, with spells of rest, fatigues and training, when they withdrew from the front lines. .
“Your son has been with us but a short while; whilst with us he had shown himself a brave and efficient officer.�
A further advance was made across La Selle river, south of Le Cateau after Rex had arrived.. This helped liberate the town that the original British Expeditionary Force had lost to the German advance, four years earlier. The Battalion withdrew to Billets at Bertry on 21st October. On the morning of 23rd October, the Battalion moved to Troisville. After a brief rest, they then continued to Montay, north of Le Cateau, taking up assembly positions west of the Mormal Forest. On 26th October, Battalion moved into the Forest, to positions east of Vendigies au Bois. They remained in these Support positions for the next few days.
Fettes College War Memorial & inscription
Rex is also commemorated on the Fettes College and North Berwick War Memorials.
Royal Welsh Fusiliers Cap Badge
Records indicate Rex was wounded at Vendigies au Bois, although the War Diary does not record this. It is possible Rex was wounded by German shelling of the British Support lines. Rex died from his wounds at 18th Corps Main Dressing Station and 27th October 1918; under the care of 2/3 East Lancashire Field Ambulance. He is buried at Maurois Cemetery near Le Cateau. A telegram informed his parents of the death of their son on 29th October and his Commanding Officer subsequently wrote to his parents:-
North Berwick War Memorial & inscriptions for Ralph and Rex
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records indicate Rex had received a Military Medal (MM) and there is a MM index card with his name. It is anticipated this Award must be an error, as the MM was only awarded to Other Ranks and Rex did not serve overseas as a Private soldier. Equally, no other records corroborate the Military Medal award. And the initials MM may relate to his initials, Marillier Miller. Biography projects produce all sorts of interesting data and facts on the individuals concerned. A key target is always an image of the person concerned, particularly when this man was a casualty. In this project we have found great images of Gerrard, Ralph and Ronald. For Rex, we had two family photographs of a young baby in a white dress, but no image of the young man who went to war. Thanks to the Fettes Community, we received School photographs of Rex’s Glencourse House; believed to have been taken in each of the summer terms of 1914-1917. With the full knowledge that Rex had poor eyesight, the images were searched for a boy with spectacles.
Possibly Rex in 1915. Courtesy Fettes Community
Possibly Rex in 1916 wearing glasses. Courtesy Fettes Community
Each image shows approximately 50 boys yet only one boy in all of the four photographs wears spectacles – in the House photograph of 1916. The same boy can then be identified in the images for the years of 1915 and 1917; although the selection is not so distinct for 1914. This individual may be Rex. He would have been in the Upper VI in 1917, which fits with Rex, yet he chose not to wear his glasses in his other House photos. The family resemblance is not especially clear, particularly his wavy hair. Nevertheless, none of the other senior boys of 1917 look more like the other Marillier-Miller boys. It would be pleasant to think this is the image of Rex. As time passes, other family and archive photos may become available and we may find more certainty.
Possibly Rex in 1917. Courtesy Fettes Community
Post-War and family life Charles Marillier-Miller left Scotland and was resident on House Boat Madge at Brundall, Norfolk in 1921. The former family home of Bramerton in North Berwick was sold in 1926. After the Great War, Gerrard worked at the family boat yard in Norfolk. His wife, Lilias Marillier Miller, died on 15th May 1926. Gerrard then lived at Copford, Essex, where he was a farmer. Gerrard had a series of motoring convictions from 1927-31, culminating in a five year suspension of his licence for the death of a pedestrian while driving under the influence. Gerrard later married Hillary M Dawson at Norwich in 1933. He worked as a cartographer and also in the family Boat Yard. Gerrard died in Norfolk on 12th February 1978. His medals were sold at Auction in 1999. Ronald continued his career as a mining engineer and worked in Spain, Bolivia, Canada and South Africa Ronald married Laura Helen Rogers at Krugerdorp Anglican Church, South Africa on 5th August 1933. Their first two daughters, Janet Mildred and Margaret Helen, were born in South Africa and returned to England with their parents in May 1937, intending to live at Brundall near Norwich. A third daughter, Susan was subsequently born in England. Susan and her husband Geoff have been instrumental in this project. Little is known of Helen Renee Marillier Miller’s childhood, or life in the Great War. She married Captain Frank Margetson Place MC in 1930.
Frank had served at Gallipoli with the Norfolk Yeomanry and later transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment. Frank received his commission in the Essex Regiment, where he served with the 1/6th and subsequently 11th Battalions. On 21st March 1918, the Germans opened their Spring Offensive. Frank’s Company Commander was killed and Frank took Command of D Company. He was awarded the Military Cross for this action with the citation:“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. He did excellent work in defending a position with the remnants of his company until ordered to withdraw. Under very trying circumstances he, by his coolness and energy, set a splendid example to all ranks”. Frank had purchased a fruit farm at Tunstead, Suffolk in 1922. Helen and Frank had two sons; John Margetson (1931) and Hugh Margetson Place (1935-1941). John married Shirley A Boardman in 1960 and continued to farm in Tunstead. Their son, Tim, now continues his grandfather’s legacy at Church Farm, Tunstead. Kenneth remained at Fettes College from 1914 to July 1918. He studied at Heriot Watt and qualified as a Mechanical Engineer. Kenneth married Gwendoline Mary Rigden at St George’s, Hannover Square. Gwendoline had been a nurse and Midwife at King’s College Hospital in the 1920s The couple lived in Blackheath, London in 1934 and Lewisham in 1939. He became a Managing Director of Gleniffer Engines Limited, which manufactured marine engines. He was also editor of Yachting World Magazine. Family records indicate they had two sons. In 1970 Kenneth was living at 3 Cluny Villas, Jordanhill, Glasgow.
Acknowledgements With thanks to Sue Butcher (nee Marillier Miller) and her husband Geoff for the inspiration for this project. Sue is Ronald’s daughter and we initially made contact in relation to her Uncle Ralph. Visiting Sue and Geoff was a great pleasure and gave me the opportunity to see some family records and images. Discussing the joint exploits of our relatives was unforgettable. Contact was made with Helen Renee Marillier Miller’s son, John Place. Further details were gained on Helen’s life and her husband Frank Place. Keith and Daphne Evans from Norwich provided additional details of Frank Place’s Service and family life Helen.
Soldiers Effects and Soldiers Died in the Great War. Officers Service Files were also reviewed for Ralph, Ronald and Rex. Sadly, the File for Gerrard could not be identified. War Diaries for the respective Battalions were also obtained from the National Archives. The British Library Newspaper Archive provided some interesting data and Imperial War Museum images have been included. If any acknowledgement has been omitted, please contact me on https://17thmanchesters.wordpress.com/gue st-book/
The Archivist at Glenalmond College hosted an informative visit to the grand school in Perthshire, including the Memorial Chapel. Elaine Mundill was also incredibly helpful in providing school records on the three Marillier-Miller’s time at Glenalmond. Fettes College Archivist was Henry R E M Gray, the Old Fettesian Co-ordinator of Fettes Community. Henry provided some further details on Ronald and Rex, together with the House photos, that may identify Rex. Various Great War sites and forums are always invaluable. https://www.greatwarforum.org/ http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php and https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/ were especially helpful. http://www.delvillewood.com/giddy.htm provided information on the South African Infantry who may have assisted Ralph and Arthur Bell at Trones Wood. National Archives data was gained online, including Census Records, Medal Records,
Glenalmond Chronicle, October 1916.R M Miller Obituary Courtesy Glenalmond College
Battlefield Sleuth Series 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment on the Somme A website about my grandad’s service in the Battle of the Somme with the 2nd Manchester Pals. The Steel Helmet Film - Montauban 1st July 1916 A film with contemporary drone footage, archive photos and original interviews recounting the Manchester Pals on First Day of the Battle of the Somme. Manchester Co-op's Battle of the Somme Recruitment and Losses in the Battle of the Somme, using the Case Study of Co-Operative Wholesale Society Head Office in Manchester. Machine Gun Corps at Montauban supporting 17th Manchesters Two Men in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. King's Own Lancasters and Hampshire Regiment A search for lost relatives commemorated on the Menin Gate Military Biography of Captain R Mansergh MC - 2nd Manchester Pals Military Biography of Captain John Edward Brown Served in Victorian Rifle Volunteers, East Yorkshire Regiment and Army Cyclist Corps.
GUEST BOOK | 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment on the Somme Comments, corrections or further thoughts are welcome via the Blog