Thomas Brown Miller
- Admin
- Dec 19, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 30
276949 Private
7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division
Age: 31
Date of Death: 31.7.17
Family history: Son of John & Mary Miller, Gilmerton, Broomage Avenue, Larbert. Before enlisting in April 1915 he was a teacher at Dennyloanhead School. His brother, Andrew, was a driver with the Army Service Corps. He also had a sister Anne who was unmarried and was listed as a dependent on his pension card.
The action leading to his death
On the 29 July 1917 two Platoons from the 1/7th Argyll’s were attached to the 401st Field Company, Royal Engineers to assist in the preparations for the opening day of Third Ypres on 31 July. They were known as ‘Sappers Mates’ The Platoons were sent to the line at Trois Tours as ‘Sappers Mates’.
On the 31 July one Platoon went forward with the Sappers to Belle Alliance Dump. They were then sent forward to Von Werder House to build a strong point. The War Diary records:
During the construction the Germans attempted two counter - attacks on the strong point but never got within 600 yards as they were beaten off with machine gun and rifle fire. During the month of July the War Diary of the 401st recorded that the work by the Sappers was impeded by German gas shelling. The Sappers suffered casualties during this time as did their ‘Sappers Mates’. The grave of Thomas Miller was lost and he is listed on the Menin Gate Memorial to the missing.
Medals Awarded
British War Medal, Victory Medal
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