Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Robert John Miller as served in the war or his correct name, Robert William Mitchell was born around the 20th of March 1894. He was born in the town of Timperley in Cheshire England where he might have lived with his Mother Martha Miller on Green Lane. Robert had a medium complexion with dark brown hair and blue eyes. Robert’s religious beliefs belonged to the Church of England. At some point he moved to Adelaide and enlisted to join the war on the 24th of August 1915.

At the time of his enlistment, he was aged 21, single and working as a camel driver. With chest measurements of 36 1/2 by 38 1/2 inches, and height of five feet and 10 1/3 inches tall, Robert was fit for the war. With two years of previous service in the 1st Manchester Territorial Force, Robert was approved to train at Base Infantry Depot.

Embarking as a private on the 2nd of December 1915 Robert left Adelaide with the 12th Infantry Battalion. As time passed through 1916 Robert was admitted to hospital with an infection 3rd March 1916. After treatment Robert was taken on strength from the 12th Battalion to the Anzac Provost Corps on the 3rd April 1916.

as he was then transferred to the Anzac Police the same day. Robert then left Alexandria, Egypt per the Oceana and arriving at Marseilles on 13th August 1916. The same day he was taken on strength to the Anzac Provost Police Corps B.E.F (British Expeditionary Force) from the Anzac Provost Police Corps E.E.F (Egyptian Expeditionary Force). Robert disembarked . Through to the 28th of March 1917 Robert was doing duty with both 2nd Anzac Corps as Assistant Provost Marshal (A.P.M) and 2nd Anzac Headquarters. On the 20th of October 1917, Robert was transferred to the 1st Anzac Headquarters.

On the first day of January 1918 Robert took 15 days leave to the UK. When Robert returned, he was transferred to the fourth Army Provost School of Instruction on the 2nd of March 1918. He then rejoined the Australian Corps Headquarters on the 18th of March. Robert was then transferred to 15 Havre as A.P.M on the 31st of March. On the 5th of April 1918 Robert was appointed Lance Corporal. He was then transferred from Australian Provost Corps to the 12th Battalion on the 20th of April 1918. 

Following this Robert was transferred on the ship of the 12th Battalion A.I.F from the Australian Provost Corps. Infected by influenza, Robert was admitted to a hospital on the lines of Communication (L of C) on the 27th of April 1918. He was then discharged to Base Depot on the 3rd of May 1918 after recovering from his sickness. Robert then rejoined Australian Provost Corps Havre on the 20th of May.

Robert then encountered some issues. He was charged by the field General Court Martial. The charge was that whilst he was on active service "drunkenness", this charge was made on the 3rd of June 1918. Robert pleaded not guilty but was found guilty and sentenced to forfeit all ordinary pay for a period of 42 days. This sentence was confirmed on the 11th of June 1918. During the time Robert was awaiting his sentence he was possibly placed in a prison house from the 4th to the 10th of June 1918. Following this incident Robert was absent during active service without approved leave on the 23rd of June. Robert was absent for a brief period from 9:30pm until 10:40pm. As a result of these continuing predicaments Robert was deprived of his Lance Stripe by the Australian Provost corps, Havre on the 24th of June.

Robert then marched in from Australian Provost Corps on the 24th of June then was marched out to his unit 4 days later. From previous detachment to Australian Provost Corps Havre, Robert was transferred to Australian Corps Headquarters on the 30th of June 1918. Robert was then transferred back to the 12th Battalion A.I.F from Australian Provost Corps 25th of July 1918. Robert was then taken on strength two days later. Robert received a delayed punishment for his unapproved leave. He was to forfeit 10 days without pay on the 5th of September 1918. Unfortunately, Robert went to L of C hospital once again sick on the 25th of October 1918. He then rejoined the 12th Battalion on the 4th of December 1918 from Hospital.

Robert marched out to England from the Australian Infantry Base Depot to return to Australia on the 3rd of February. Robert was then absent without leave for 7 days and once again was to forfeit pay for a period of 3 days. This occurrence happened on March the 11th 1919. Robert was then discharged in London due to demobilized on the 22nd of April 1919. At discharge, Robert was 25 years and one month old; he served for the war for 3 years and 8 months. After Roberts dischargement he intended to live in Hap Pole Farm, Prestbury, Cheshire.

 Years after the war finished Robert lost his discharge papers on the 1st of August 1934. His discharge papers were burnt in fire that destroyed most of Robert’s belongings in Kuranda, North Queensland 18 months before he submitted his statuary of declaration. This declaration was submitted in Nakara, Northern Territory. On the 3rd of October 1964 Robert John Miller submitted communication that stated that his correct name was Robert William Mitchell. Due to lack of documents, we do not know Robert’s date or place of death or the general outline of his life after war.