Miller, Joseph

602 Private Joseph Miller DCM - 44th Battalion AIF

Joseph Miller was born in Southport Lancashire England in 1895. Joseph grew up in Lancashire before coming out to Western Australia in 1912.

He found employment as a storeman in Fremantle and was living at Swan Street North Fremantle.

On the 1st February 1916 Joseph enlisted into the AIF. He was accepted as fit for service with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 6 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 134lbs;

Chest Measurement - 31-34 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Hazel;

Hair - Dark.

After his successful enlistment Joe was sent to Claremont Camp and assigned to "C" Company of the 44th Battalion AIF. (In the photo Joe is standing)

The 44th Battalion departed from Fremantle Harbour on the 6th June 1916 aboard the HMAT Suevic. After a long sea voyage the ship arrived at Plymouth on the 21st July 1916.

The next few months were spent training on the Salisbury Plains and in November 1916 the 44th Battalion were sent to France. Initially they were sent to the area around Armentieres but by March 1917 the 44th Battalion had moved to Ploegsteert in southern Belgium.

They would take part in the Messines action which began on the 7th June 1917. Joe missed the start of the Messines battle as on the 6th June he badly hurt his ankle. It was serious enough that he was sent to the 4th General Hospital at Camiers and was then sent on to England where he was admitted to Frensham Hill Military Hospital.

He was then sent to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital and was then given a period of furlough after which he reported into No.1 Command Depot Camp at Perham Downs. After a few more weeks here Joe returned to France and was taken back on strength of the 44th Battalion on the 26th August 1917.

The 44th Battalion moved to the Ypres sector of Belgium where they would take part in the current offensive taking place there. On the 4th October 1917 Joe took part in the successful advance at Hill 40 at Zonnebeke and for the next week continued to hold the line in this area.

Joe was decorated for his bravery during this period in the line. The official recommendation reads;

'On 8th October 1917 N.E. of Zonnebeke, this man was one of a party of One Officer and seventeen other ranks that went forward to reconnoitre a position that the Battalion was to occupy later. Owing to heavy enemy rifle fire and M.G. fire, only five of the party reached the position - the remainder being casualties. When the Battalion arrived, Pte. Miller acted as a guide and successfully guided several parties into their positions, whilst being subjected to heavy enemy rifle and Artillery fire. He showed great bravery and devotion to duty while carrying out this operation.

On the 9th October 1917, also in the vicinity of Zonnebeke - he volunteered to carry a message to another party of his company, which necessitated his going across a 400 yard gap of almost open country, and which was covered by enemy snipers. On the way across he was shot through the chest. Although he could have taken some cover or stayed to receive medical aid - which was near by - he staggered on and successfully delivered his message and then collapsed. By his absolute disregard of the danger he was facing, he showed great coolness, courage and devotion to duty.'

Joe was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

After he had been wounded in the chest and arm Joe was taken to the 11th Field Ambulance and then the 55th Casualty Clearing Station. On the 18th October 1917 Joe was admitted to the 6th General Hospital at Rouen. He spent two weeks there receiving treatment. He was then shipped to England and on the 2nd November 1917 was admitted to Reading War Hospital. He remained a patient there until the 17th December 1917 when he was transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford.

Joe was released from hospital soon after and was given a period furlough from the 19th December 1917 to 2nd January 1918, during which time he no doubt visited family in Lancashire over the Christmas period.

On the 2nd January 1918 Joe reported to No.3 Command Depot Camp at Hurdcott. He then transferred to No.4 Command Depot Camp at Tidworth. He was then attached for duty to the AIF Depot HQ.

On the 31st May 1918 Joe was sent to hospital sick but was labelled as NYD or not yet determined. He was sent to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford. He was discharged from hospital on the 23rd July 1918.

Though not medically fit enough to return to France, Joe was utilised as a guard at No.1 ADH Hospital at Bulford and then to No.2 Command Depot Camp while he waited to be assigned a troopship home.

On the 23rd Septemner 1918 Joe boarded the transport ship Pernic and set sail for home, arriving at Fremantle on the 17th November 1918. Joe was then sent to No.8 Australian general Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle for a final medical check up.

Joe was discharged from the AIF on the 6th December 1918.

After the war Joseph was working, firstly as a storeman in Cottesloe and then as a barman at the Oceanic Hotel in Pakenham Street Fremantle.

Joseph Miller died in Spearwood on the 3rd January 1932 aged 36. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery Plot Anglican MON AA 1207.