285146 Gunner Albert John Miller, Royal Garrison Artillery

A J Miller (as the name appears in Chailey’s parish magazine), is probably Albert J Miller who was born in Mayfield, Sussex about 1875 and who appears on the 1881 census of England and Wales as a six year old scholar living at Old Malling, Sussex.  The family comprised Benjamin Miller (head, aged 32 and working as an agricultural labourer), his 31 year old wife Harriet and their three children: Albert J (aged six), Elizabeth R (aged three) and William Richard (aged one). 

He appears on the 1891 census as a sixteen year old gardener, still living at Old Malling.  Elizabeth R Miller does not appear on the census but his parents and William do, along with some more siblings: Edward Alfred Miller (aged nine), Alice Jane Miller (aged seven), Joseph Charles Miller (aged five) and Edgar Stanley Miller (aged two). 

By the time the 1901 census was taken, Albert was living in Mayfield with a young family of his own: Edith Miller (wife, aged 24), Albert P Miller (son, aged two) and Elsie C Miller (aged one).  Coincidentally his next door neighbour was another Albert Miller (aged 51 and originally from Fletching).  This could be an uncle although I have not researched this line.  

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions A J Miller in February 1916, noting that he is a gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery in England.  That information (minus the location from December 1916), is then repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919. 

Albert's medal index card, above, is reproduced courtesy of Ancestry. His entry in the British War and Victory Medal roll notes that he served with 318 Siege Battery.

Three of Albert’s brothers – Joseph, Edgar and William – also served their King and Country during the First World War.