Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917
Tyne Cot Memorial
Tyne Cot Memorial: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Purvis Miller was born at Gateshead, County Durham in 1894, the eldest of 3 surviving sons, 12 children deceased, born to Thompson and Eliza Miller. Thompson Miller was born 1869 at Wrekenton, near Gateshead and married Eliza Shields, native of South Shield born 1868 in that same district May 2nd 1891. Prior to their marriage he was living at Reservoir Street, Heworth, they set up home at 8, Second Street, Wardley Colliery, Felling and he supported his family working at the colliery as a hewer. At the age of 17 Purvis was the only other breadwinner, serving an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker, his younger sibling Norman (11) was a scholar, Thompson Jnr was only 2 years of age. They were still living at 8, Second Street in 1911. June 14th 1912 Purvis married at the Registry Office, Gateshead, Elizabeth Lumsden, setting up home at 5, Wellington Street, Felling. Elizabeth gave birth to two sons, Purvis Jnr born December 8th 1913 and Robert, February 5th 1915.
Purvis was attested at Woolwich, as Private 9870, November 23rd 1915 in order to join the Royal Army Service Corps but discharged a week later, December 1st, as not being likely to become an efficient soldier. Determined to serve his county he presented himself at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was accepted as Private 193 to the 31st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. The 31st Battalion was a reserve battalion and he later transferred as Private 7040 assigned to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, reassigned when service numbers were changed in 1917 to Private 203406. He departed for the Western Front in 1916 as part of the 10th Battalion “C’ Coy K.O.Y.L.I. attached to the 64th Brigade, 21st Division joining the main body of men who had departed in 1915, in the field. The regiment saw action on the Somme during 1916 at the Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and the Cambrai Operations.
It was during the Third Battles of Ypres on the Belgian salient, October 4th 1917 that Private 203406 Purvis Miller King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was killed in action. Private Miller has no known grave, his sacrifice is recorded panel 108-111 Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing which forms the boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, near Ypres, Belgium. He was 24 years old.
His widow Elizabeth received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 5, Wellington Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917 carries a notice which reads:
Private Purvis Millar, K.O.Y.L.I., killed in action, Oct. 4th, aged 24 years. Husband of Elizabeth (nee Lumsden), 5 Wellington St., Felling.”
He is remembered in Felling on F32.07 and at Heworth on H92.03
