Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘German Spring Offensive’ M.M. group of four awarded to Gunner T. Miller, Royal Horse Artillery

Military Medal, G.V.R. (88156 Gnr: T. Miller. ‘U’ By: R.H.A.); 1914-15 Star (88156 Gnr. T. Miller. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (88156 Gnr. T. Miller. R.A.) edge bruise to first, very fine (4) £240-£280

M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918.

Thomas Miller was born in Tottenham, Middlesex, on 16 November 1894. He enlisted into the Royal Horse Artillery on 2 November 1914, and served in France from 1 April 1915. Appointed Acting Shoeing Smith four days later, he was posted to 16 Brigade Royal Horse Artillery Ammunition Column, and was thus present during the Second Battle of Ypres from 22 April to 25 May 1915. This action witnessed the first German deployment of poison gas, followed by further attacks on the Frezenberg and Bellewaarde Ridges which effectively brought both sides to an exhausted standstill. Posted to “U” Battery on 2 August 1917, Miller witnessed the destruction of a number of his battery guns on the first day of the German Spring Offensive near Le Verjiubr. Relocated to Montigny and then the Amiens Road, the War Diary for 16 Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, adds: ‘Killing enemy until they got to a very short range.’

Awarded the Military Medal, Miller survived the war and remained in service with “B” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. His Army Service Record shows, however, that his life changed beyond measure in early 1920, when his father recalled him home: ‘I have had the misfortune to have his mother knocked down by a motor causing her to have her legs smashed... and I have been waiting to go under an operation myself with a double rupture.’

Sold with extensive copied research.