Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Great War Medals awarded to Lieutenant J. M. R. Miller, No. 22 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, formerly, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who was twice shot down and three times wounded

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut., K.O.Sco.Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.F.C.), good very fine (3) £120-150

Lieutenant John Maurice Reid Miller was born on the 5th April 1898, served with the 3rd battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force. On 2 February 1917 whilst serving with 22 Squadron escorting a photographic patrol his plane was hit South of Bapaume, he was forced to crash land in a shell hole at Rozieres. A copy of a report of this action written by Miller whilst convalescing at the London Hospital, Whitechapel is included with the lot.

‘I was wounded on February 2nd 1917 while flying in a machine on the Somme front. Our formation was attacked by 14 German machines, while about six miles over the German side of the lines. Our machine was shot down, but the wind being favourable, we reached a point about three miles behind our own lines. I received an armour piercing bullet through the left knee, and being pinned under the machine, I was severely bruised and brushed about the back. The bullet which struck me was much mis-shapen. It passed through the patella, shattering the upper and middle portions, and causing a triradiate fracture of the remainder, and lodged in the joint. I was admitted to 49 Casualty Clearing Station and an operation was done on 3rd February and the bullet removed...’

After several months spent recovering in hospital, Miller returned to active service with the Royal Flying Corps. He was again wounded on the 14 February 1918, the report states ‘This officer was shot down in an aeroplane and crashed into a tree, sustaining wounds to right eyebrow, left side of nose and right side of nose, slight fracture of nose..’ On 5 May 1918 whilst flying in the U.K. he was involved in a serious crash that resulted in the amputation of his right leg and in consequence he was forced to relinquish his commission on account of wounds. Sold with 14 copied pages of research detail.