S6390
MILLER, Charles Lloyd
| Service Number: | 1875 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 October 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Australian Flying Corps (AFC) |
| Born: | Encounter Bay, South Australia, Australia, 11 November 1896 |
| Home Town: | Victor Harbor, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Gardener |
| Died: | Daw Park, South Australia, Australia, 10 August 1968, aged 71 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia General E/Path 23/736A |
| Memorials: | Victor Harbor Congregational Church Roll of Honor, Victor Harbor WW1 Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Oct 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1875, 3rd Light Horse Regiment | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Jan 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1875, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Jan 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1875, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Borda, Adelaide | |
| 6 Aug 1919: | Discharged Australian Flying Corps, Australian Flying Corps (AFC) | |
| 1 Dec 1920: | Involvement 1875, Joined RSL. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Private (2nd Air Mechanic) Charles Lloyd Miller (1896–1968)
Service No. 1875 – Australian Imperial Force / Australian Flying Corps
Early Life
Charles Lloyd Miller was born in 1896 at Victor Harbor, South Australia, the son of Isaac and Sarah Ann Miller (née Feehan). He was raised in Victor Harbor and attended the local Congregational Church.
Before enlisting, he worked as a gardener, a trade typical of young rural men of the district. His family's home was listed throughout his service records as Victor Harbor, South Australia.
Enlistment and Attestation
Date of Enlistment: 4 October 1915
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide, South Australia
Age at Enlistment: 18 years, 10 months
Height: 5 ft 6½ in (169 cm)
Weight: 151 lbs (68 kg)
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dark Brown
Religious Denomination: Congregational
Distinctive Marks: Scars on nose and left leg
Next of Kin: Mrs Sarah Ann Miller (mother), Victor Harbor
Charles attested before Lieut. H. J. Cope and took the Oath of Service at Adelaide on 11 October 1915. His medical examination declared him "fit for active service."
Training and Departure
After completing training with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment at Mitcham Camp, he embarked from Adelaide on HMAT A30 Borda on 12 January 1916 as part of the 13th Reinforcements, 3rd Light Horse Regiment.
Service in Egypt and France
1 March 1916: Taken on strength at Heliopolis, Egypt – 1st Light Horse Reserve Regiment.
21 April 1916: Transferred to the 4th Divisional Artillery, Serapeum.
24 May 1916: Mustered as a Driver and attached to 4th Divisional Ammunition Column.
June 1916: Embarked from Alexandria aboard Oriana and disembarked at Marseilles, France – entering the Western Front theatre of war.
His early service was marked by continuous transfers between support and artillery units as he adapted to new mechanical and driving duties, a skill that would later see him seconded to the emerging Australian Flying Corps (A.F.C.).
Transfer to the Australian Flying Corps
By late 1916, Charles was seconded from the Artillery to the A.F.C. for training in motor and technical work.
He served in various postings, including:
A.F.C. Training Depot, Tadcaster, Yorkshire
Halton Camp (RAF/AFC joint training)
Wendover and Minchinhampton Flying Training Stations
He was promoted to 2nd Air Mechanic (2AM) during this period — a role responsible for aircraft maintenance, vehicle driving, and logistical duties.
Hospital Admissions and Medical Notes
Throughout 1917–1918, his records show multiple hospitalizations:
February 1918: Hospitalised in France (55th Battalion Base) – diagnosed with septicemia and septic foot.
March–April 1918: Transferred between Whitetable, Chorliffe, and Chatham hospitals in England.
June 1918: Convalescent recovery later declared fit for duty.
Despite these setbacks, he resumed service and was recognized for good conduct and satisfactory performance.
Final Phase of Service (1918–1919)
August 1918: Posted to 5th Training Squadron, AFC, Minchinhampton.
November 1918: Serving with the squadron at war's end (Armistice).
January 1919: Embarked from England aboard Orsova for return to Australia.
Disembarked: 14 June 1919.
Discharged: 6 August 1919 (Adelaide).
"Termination of Period of Enlistment" – Rank on discharge: 2nd Air Mechanic.
He was awarded:
British War Medal (No. 8904)
Victory Medal (No. 8840)
Post-War Correspondence
Several administrative records document his continued contact with military authorities:
March 1920: Base Records correspondence to a Mr. F.H. Bishop in Glasgow confirming Miller's residence at Victor Harbor, South Australia after discharge.
1931, 1958, 1968: Files show repeated transfers between the Repatriation Department and Base Records regarding pension entitlements and medical documentation (Refs R16786, B103, and R3/68).
Death: Confirmed in Repatriation record – 10 August 1968.
Character and Conduct
His military documents note no disciplinary actions, and one report commends his "good order and attention in the presence of senior officers."
He served 3 years and 208 days overseas, transitioning from mounted service to mechanical and aviation roles — a testament to his adaptability and technical aptitude.
Commemoration
Charles Lloyd Miller's name is recorded on:
Victor Harbor WWI Roll of Honour
Victor Harbor Congregational Church Honour Roll
Australian Flying Corps service rolls (A.I.F. records)
He is remembered as one of the many young South Australians who enlisted as teenagers, endured harsh campaigns in multiple theatres, and contributed to the foundation of Australian military aviation.
Sources
National Archives of Australia, Series B2455, MILLER, Charles Lloyd (1875) – full-service dossier.
Australian War Memorial – Embarkation Roll and unit movement summaries.
Victor Harbor WWI Honour Roll – Congregational Church listing.
Repatriation Department Correspondence, Base Records Office, Melbourne & Adelaide (1931–1968).
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 28/10/2025
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