Current Information:

Age-32

149, Brayards Road, Nunhead

Romeries Communal Cemetery, France

Throughout October 1918, the last full month of the war, the Allies were advancing all along the Western Front against a demoralised and drastically shrinking German Army which could do little other than fight, often desperate, rear guard actions. These continued to take a heavy toll of both sides, but failed to halt the forward momentum. Towns, villages and whole areas, which had been under German occupation for four long years were now liberated in a series of operations.

On 13th October, the 9th East Surrey battalion of 72 Brigade, 24th Division, moved forward to St Aubert just beyond which lay the front line held by 72 Brigade, facing the River Selle and the village of Haussy on the far bank. On 15th October a small plank bridge was constructed across the river and in the early hours of 16th October, three companies from the battalion crossed the river and formed up in preparation for an attack, the objective of which was a sunken road running along a ridge on the other side of Haussy. Advancing behind a creeping barrage things went well at first. By 7am the objective had been taken and despite some fierce fighting, casualties had been kept to a minimum. Nearly three hundred prisoners had been captured along with several machine-guns and mortars. This success however was short lived. In the afternoon the enemy began an artillery bombardment of the village which was followed by a counter attack by fresh troops that had been rushed forward. The right flank of 9th East Surrey was compromised when the Germans broke through the defences of the unit guarding it and threatened to isolate the attacking force who were now coming under severe pressure with the casualty rate increasing alarmingly. The only option was to re-cross the river which for many of the men meant swimming back. A number of men were drowned as they attempted this but some did make it back. By nightfall, 9th East Surrey could only muster a quarter of the strength it had had when the attack began and the remnants of the battalion were relieved and moved back to St Aubert. One of those who did not survive this operation was John Miller.