Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Robert Miller served for four years exactly from the day from the day of his enlistment, 23 August 1914 until the day of his death on 23 August 1918.

Born in England in 1890, he lived most of his life in Scotland before coming to Australia in around 1912. He married Hilda Dorothea Schrader of Walcha, New South Wales in 1913, at the age of 23.

Robert was one of the original members of the 4th Battalion, and when he enlisted for some reason, he gave his mother in Scotland as his next of kin.

He served on Gallipoli from June 1915, until he was evacuated sick with jaundice during October 1915. He was made a Corporal in France during the Battle of Pozieres in August 1916 and was badly wounded a few weeks later. He was evacuated to England on 21 August 1916 with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. He rejoined the 4th Battalion at the front on 31 July 1917. He was promoted to Sergeant three months later.

Robert was sent to Brigade School in France as an instructor for about six months from the end of 1917. He rejoined the 4th Battalion on 25 July 1918 and was mortally wounded about three weeks later.

Several men gave evidence as to his fate in his Red Cross Wounded and Missing file. 3328 Pte T.J. PARKER, A Company, 4th Bn, 5 March 1919: “Informant describes Miller as about 5 feet 8 inches, thin and inclined to be ginger haired. At Chuignolles we hopped over about 5.15 a.m. when he got hit by a Machine Gun bullet and I helped carry him out - all Stretcher Bearers being killed, and he died in about a couple of hours. I took his property off him and handed it to a B. Company Stretcher Bearer.”

6781 Corporal H. PASFIELD, A Company, 4th Bn, 10 March 1919: “Informant described Miller as about 5 ft 9 in. high, medium build, rather red complexion, aged about 25-30. A Scotchman. Informant states that they both belonged to A. Company. On 23.8.18 the Battalion was about 200 yards from Chuignelles in front of Proyart in action. They hopped over early in the morning, and about two or three hours afterwards, just as they were on the objective, Miller was badly wounded. Informant did not see him hit, but came up shortly after with a message and saw him lying in a semi-conscious condition in a sunken road to which he had been brought after being hit. Informant heard that Miller died of his wounds and he was probably buried in the vicinity. According to Informant Miller was very popular with his mates.”

W.W. WOODHOUSE, B Company, 4th Bn, 15 March 1919: “Informant described Miller as about 5 ft 9 inches high, rather stout build, aged about 27-28 years. A Scotchman by birth. Informant states that Miller was in A Company. On 23.8.18 the Battalion was in action against Proyart and captured it. They hopped over at 5.30 a.m., and when they had advanced about 3 kilometers Miller was shot by Machine Gun fire. Informant was about 50 yards away, and saw him fall, but had no time to go over to him; he believes that he died in the 4th Battalion Dressing Station. According to Informant Miller was one of his best cobbers, and one of the best liked in the Battalion.”

Miller's wife, Hilda Miller, had to declare by Statutory Declaration, on 21 April 1920, that she was married to Robert Miller, and produced her marriage certificate as well.