Walter Miller

(RFR/PO/B/4590). Walter was 18 years old when he joined the Royal Navy on 15 September 1906 on a twelve year engagement (five years RN, seven years RFR). He served in the following ships and shore establishments: HMS Nelson, 15 September 1906-7 December 1906 (Stoker); HMS Iphagenia, 8 December 1907-5 July 1907; Cells 14 days; HMS Iphagenia, 20 July 1907-12 April 1909 (23 July 1907 Stoker 1st Class); Victory II, 13 April 1909-7 May 1909; HMS Terrible, 8 May 1909-30 June 1909; HMS Renown, 1 July 1909-30 September 1909; Victory II, 1 October 1909-18 October 1909; HMS Hecla, 19 October 1909-21 February 1911; HMS Blake, 22 February 1911-8 September 1911; Victory II, 9 September 1911-17 September 1911. He transferred to RFR Portsmouth (B4500) on 18 September 1911 on completion of his engagement. He was mobilised before the outbreak of war and joined HMS Good Hope on 13 July 1914 as a Stoker 1st Class. After being drafted to Victory 2 on 25 July 1914 he rejoined HMS Good Hope on 31 July 1914. HMS Good Hope was lost with all hands at the Battle of Coronel on 1 November 1914. His service record was annotated ‘NP2788/14. DD [Discharged Dead] 1 Nov. 1914. Lost when HMS Good Hope was sunk in action off Chilean coast’. His body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Nottingham Evening Post, In Memoriam November 1st 1915: 'Miller- In loving memory of Walter Miller, lost on H.M.S. Good Hope, November 1st 1914. Until the day breaks and the shadows flee wawy. Sleep on, dear one, and take thy rest. - Wife' 'Miller- In loving memory of Walter Miller, lost with H.M.S. Good Hope, November 1st 1914. A day of remembrance sad to recall - Mother, Mabel, Winnie and Florrie.' As Lilian Miller lived in the parish, it is highly probable that W Miller listed on St Cyprian's memorial was Walter Miller also commemorated at St Bartholomew. David Nunn