James Miller

Killed in Action on the 12/07/1915 at the Battle of Achi Baba Nullah, Gallipoli

James arrived at Gallipoli on the 24/06/1915. His Field Company were part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division from March 1915. On the 5th of April the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service ; on the 7th of May this was confirmed, with the destination being Gallipoli. The units embarked at Liverpool and Devonport between the 18th May and the 8th June. Disaster struck on the 22nd of May when a train carrying the Battalion HQ and two Companies of the 1/7th Royal Scots crashed in an accident at Quntinshill near Gretna. 3 Officers and 207 men died, 5 Officers and 219 were injured. Fewer than 70 men survived this crash unscathed. The Division landed in Gallipoli in June 1915. William fell at the Battle of Achi Baba Nullah. The Battle (12th and 13th July 1915) : The order was given to charge the Turkish defences in the late afternoon of the 12th of July 1915. As was the case throughout the campaign, the fighting was conducted at close quarters, with some trenches almost within touching distance. The Battle proved to be an overwhelming disaster. On the 12th July, the 52nd (Lowland) suffered 2427 casualties, of which 1065 were killed. James was one of those killed as British and ANZAC forces tried to extend the beachhead they had won in April. James' name on the Helles Memorial kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE here. He is also remembered on the Maxwell Parish Church and the East United Free Churches Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, James' Pension Record x 2 and the Royal Engineers Cap Badge.