Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Francis, known as Bill was the sixth of ten children born to Francis William and Annie Miller on the 9th February 1913 at Booleroo Centre, his home town. His siblings included Charles, Eileen, Mary, Mick, John, Frank, Clare, Sheila and Margaret and James. Being a strong Catholic family, Margaret became Sister Francis Borgia. Bill’s father, Frank had settled in the Booleroo area in the 1870’s and was instrumental in the building of St. Agnes' Church and the erection of the presbytery. He was a farmer, in an area famed for its wheat production, despite often being subjected to drought conditions.
Sadly, Bill’s older brother, John died aged 27 in May ’34 and was buried in the local Cemetery, where just over a decade later, his youngest sister, 30-year-old Sheila also died in January ’49 in the local hospital. The previous evening, she had attended evening devotions and presided at the organ before entering the local hospital for an operation for tonsilitis. She died suddenly following the operation. She and John now rest together.
Bill worked on the farm with his father but aged 27 he enlisted in Port Pirie on the 11th June ’40, following a strong recruitment drive by the army. He was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, training at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills. Following pre-embarkation leave, Bill was soon aboard the Stratheden on the 7th November, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December.
Early in May ’41 Bill sustained a gunshot wound in his left wrist and forearm. At that time a concerted drive was underway to capture Tobruk and take Hill 209. John Glenn in his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ described conditions at Dimra at that time: “The men of the 2/48th stood-to to await the outcome of the battle which had raged all through the night. In thick mist, darkness, and bitter cold they snatched a quick breakfast of bully beef and hard biscuits.”
The remainder of that day was chaotic, information scant, the men weary and under heavy fire and a sandstorm raged. The next morning there was a terrific dust storm, but a foot patrol set out to find their soldiers who had not returned. It was a tragic start to the month for the 2/48th Battalion. Back home, Bill was one of six soldiers named as being wounded in action and a further eleven named as being killed. Bill’s injury was treated in hospital until he was eventually able to return to his battalion in August.
By June ’42, Bill contracted malaria but was again to be wounded in his hand at the end of October ’42. At the time, there was fierce fighting at El Alamein where a massive assault was underway to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29. Conditions at the time were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described the carnage caused by the chance hit from an enemy shell on a truck loaded with mines.
‘An ear shattering explosion dwarfed the sound of the guns into insignificance. Seven other trucks, all ladened with mines, had been set off. The whole area became a ghastly raging inferno. The concussion was terrific. He added:
‘The attack continued, however, without pause…it was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective. The troops had never been more tired.. The 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest; from first light until nine o’clock the enemy turned all their fury on the Trig area, with particularly heavy fire on 29 itself, hiding the position in a cloud of dust and smoke.’ A comment was later made that about the heavy casualties. On that night alone 9 of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these 16 were from South Australia and the remainder from Western Australia.
The subsequent action between October 25th and 26th meant that the survivors of the horrific explosion and ensuing fighting were not always able to immediately retrieve their fallen men. Bill was wounded under these conditions and again was hospitalised.
Back home, the November 12th issue of the Chronicle reported on the injured and deceased. From the 2/48th Battalion, these included SX10325 Captain Peter ROBBINS Killed in Action. Died Of Wounds.—SX6893 Pte. Leslie C. Cutchie, Brompton Park; SX6672 Pte. Gordon F. Munday, Cowell; SX3917 Sgt. Francis G. Ziesing, St. Peters. Wounded In Action.— SX9327 Lt. Thomas H. Bowman, Ardrossan; SX7093 Cpl. Norman L. Badman, Pinnaroo; SX11069 Pte. Stanley J. Crowell, Price; SX715O L/Cpl. Geoffrey Gardner, Bordertown; SX 12741 Pte. Jack Hoey, Kadina; SX6737, Pte. Ross. E. Hoskin, Kilkenny; SX11135 Pte, James N. Jarvis, Kent Town; SX8268 Cp! William K Mackay, Snowtown; SX7669 Pte. William Miller, Booleroo Centre; SX11753 Pte. Terrence C. O'Connor, Adelaide: SX13763 Pte. Eric. K. Reynolds, Novar Gardens;- SX5991 Pte. Stanley G. Smith Croydon Park; SX7311 Pte. Rayner R. Stagg, Tarcowie: SX8539 Pte. Edward. J. Young, Morgan. Dangerously Wounded.—SX13191 Pte. William. R. Bowd.
Over the following weeks, William developed poor health with a very high temperature (pyrexia of unknown origin) and serum sickness before he was able to rejoin his battalion. Fortunately, for Bill and the whole battalion, they were finally on their way home to Australia via Melbourne. Frustratingly, Malaria again developed on the return journey. Back home on leave in March ’43 Bill and Gunner Lander were both honoured at a presentation at a Social held in the Booleroo Hall.
Training in Queensland followed as Bill’s battalion prepared for a return to conflict in the tropical conditions of New Guinea, and against a very different enemy. He arrived in Milne Bay in August but within three months again developed a high fever and malaria, followed by scrub typhus. He was able to briefly return to Brisbane in February ’44 but spent the following month at Kapara Convalescent Home, Glenelg in an attempt to shake off the malaria which continued to affect him as did other annoying illnesses.
A final stint of duty overseas at Tarakan from April ’45 saw Bill being promoted to Corporal for five months until September ’45 Bill’s war was over to return home via Brisbane.
In 1948 a huge celebration was held for Bill’s father, Frank to celebrate his 90th birthday where all the family, including grandchildren and friends collected. A special Papal Blessing marked the occasion, a sign of the high esteem of Mr. Miller's life serving in the church. The telegram from His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate read as follows: "Holy Father lovingly imparts Apostolic Blessing Mr. Francis Miller occasion 90th birthday as token appreciation zealous Catholic life."
Bill’s mother, Annie shared five years with him before she died, aged 74 in August 1950. His father, Frank died at Christmas time that year with both buried in the local cemetery, near their children, John and Sheila. Bill moved to live at Crystal Brook where aged 76, he died on the 25th August ’89.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.