MILERA, Herbert
| Service Number: | 3015 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 August 1916, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 50th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Poonindie Mission, near Port Lincoln, South Australia, 19 December 1891 |
| Home Town: | Point Pearce, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Adelaide, South Australia, 6 November 1969, aged 77 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
AIF Cemetery, West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Point Pearce Memorial and Flagpoles to Narungga Men and Women, Point Pearce Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 22 Aug 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3015, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3015, 50th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 6 Nov 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3015, 50th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| 12 Jun 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 3015, 50th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
Herbert John Milera was born in Poonindie (Barngala country) which is near Port Lincoln, on the 19th of December 1891. He later moved to Point Pearce (Narrunga Country) on the Yorke Peninsula. Before becoming a soldier Herbert worked as a labourer. He was the son of John and Nellie Milera and was the husband of Alice Sarah Milera (Nee Newchurch) He was a proud Aboriginal man. His war documents describe him as being 5'6 inches tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.
Herbert Milera enlisted in the army on the 22nd of August 1916 as a private in the 50th infantry battalion. His service number was 3015. On the 6th of November 1916 he embarked on the HMAT Afric. He arrived at the United Kingdom on the 9th of January 1917. After further training he arrived in Belgium in May. In June that same year he participated in the Battle of Messines, which began with an explosion with 19 different mines which were exploded beneath the German trenches between Messines and Wytschaete, Instantly killing 10,000 German soldiers. During his time in the army his battalion suffered 157 casualties during the battle. He was evacuated because he was sick later that year and spent the rest of the war in the United Kingdom. On the 21st of June 1918 he was admitted to hospital because he had Spanish influenza, he was discharged on the 26th of June 1918.
Herbert returned to Australia on the H.T boat and disembarked on the 19th of March 1919. When he returned to Australia, Herbert returned to Point Pearce and continued his work as a labourer. Herbert and his wife lost several of their children at young ages. He also had multiple ear infections his whole life, leading to partial deafness. Herbert was awarded the British War Medal (18038) and the Victory Medal (17839). Herbert is part of the Point Pearce Memorial and Flagpoles to Narungga Men and Women and the Point Pearce Roll of Honour in his home town. Herbert John Milera sadly died of unknown causes in Adelaide, South Australia, age 79. He is buried at the AIF Cemetery, West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia, in an unmarked grave. Recently, on the 3rd of March 2021 there was a dedication of his grave with a ceremony for him and his family. A plaque commemorating Herbert John Milera's service was finally installed, with the Kaurna shield proudly engraved and on display. The plaque is placed above his grave, where he will be forever missed. Lest we Forget.
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