RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Jackie M on Wednesday 29 September 10 22:07 BST (UK)
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Hello
Although I have managed to crack the standard genealogy traces I am at a bit of a loss with the military side. I have done a 'look up' for who I believe may be my great uncle who served in the second world war but I am not sure if there is any way I can search for more info. The info I have found (via the death records) is:
Robert J Miller
L/Cpl
3317358
HLI (which I believe stands for Highland Light Infantry)
1945 v.8 263
I would be really grateful if someone could point me in the right direction of where I may be able to find out more info. How would I really know if it was him? Are there records which says which town they are from? What they did in the Army etc ?
Any help would be greatly received. Many thanks
Jackie
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Hi Jackie,
Try this link: http://www.rootschat.com/links/09es/
Matt
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Have you looked at the CWGC website? This chap is recorded as buried at Milsbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands. Unfortunately no next of kin etc is mentioned. See www.cwgc.org
Imber
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The Scottish National War Memorial records his place of birth as Leeds. Does that help?
See www.snwm.org
Imber
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Many thanks indeed to you all. The links are going to be really useful.
Thank you very much for your advice - it would have taken me weeks to find these links.
Off to research ....
Jackie.
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This is the CWGC Listing
Name: MILLER, ROBERT JACKSON
Initials: R J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment)
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 17/02/1945
Service No: 3317358
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. A. 8.
Cemetery: MILSBEEK WAR CEMETERY
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Many thanks indeed for the info. :)
Jackie
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Here is the Army Roll of Honour entry for Robert J Miller, stating that he was born in Leeds, Yorkshire
Name: Robert Miller
Given Initials: R J
Rank: Lance Corporal
Death Date: 17 Feb 1945
Number: 3317358
Birth Place: Leeds
Residence: Leeds
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: Western Europe Campaign, 1944/45
Regiment at Death: Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment)
Branch at Death: Infantry
Based on his age and date of death, I suspect that this is his Birth record, along with his mothers maiden name. Hope this helps
Name: Robert J Miller
Mother's Maiden Surname: Smith
Date of Registration: Oct Nov Dec 1918
Registration district: Leeds
Registration county: Yorkshire
Volume Number: 9b
1st HLI served with the 53rd Welsh Division, here is a smallextract from the regt History
After three weeks of rest, 53rd Infantry Division was committed in the battle of the Rhineland. Still attached to the 30th Corps, it attacked from February 8th in direction of Kleve. Supporting armoured vehicles got quickly bogged down in omnipresent mud, and despite having seized the Brandenburg heights, 53rd division did not manage to capture all its objectives. Quick advance deteriorated into dogfight in the following days, as the resistance of the Germans hardened. Surmounting these obstacles, division progressed through the heart of the forest and crossed the Kleve – Gennep road, before making a short pause.
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Jackie, does de information provided by 'englandphil' match with your great unkle?
I live near the Milsbeek War Cemetery and could make a picture of the grave if you like.
Is there any more information available about his military carier?
Regards rom Holland, Frank
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Hi Many thanks for picking up this thread.
Unfortunately I don't think this is the same person as my uncle was born in Cumbria.
Very kind of you offer though. Much appreciated.
Jackie
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Jo Jackie, if the casualty born in Leeds is not your great Uncle, the details in your original post do not relate to your great Uncle either, as the records all relate to the same individual with a Service number of 3317358
If you can post more info relating to your G Uncle, I am sure we can see what we can find.
P