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Re: Lieutenant Colonel Albert Miell

From: Bryn Dolan   bdolan@anzacs.org
Date: 7/1/2001
Time: 8:23:59 PM
Remote Name: 210.141.67.133

Comments

Hi 'ochre',

I can help you out with some information on Lieut. Col. Miell. You can find him listed with the other officers who died at Gallipoli at my web site, www.anzacs.org

********* Lieutenant Colonel Miell, Queen's South Africa Medal & 5 Clasps. Volunteer Long Service Medal. Mentioned in despatches

Born 18 Dec 1869, at Auburn, South Australia. (birth certificate reference 1869 Vol. 78 p281, SA). Educated at Public Schools / Crystal Brook & Way College, SA. Single, Methodist, Soldier and Pastoralist, of Care of Elder, Smith & Co., Adelaide / Crystal Brook, South Australia. Next of kin: Wife; Lily Mabel Miell (nee Symons), of Care of Elder, Smith & Co., Adelaide, South Australia / Crystal Brook, South Australia.

Previous military service: 22 years, 2nd Battalion Australian Rifles & South Australian Mounted Rifles. Lieut. Colonel commanding 24th (Flinders) Light Horse Regiment. Appointed Lieut. Colonel 27 Dec 1912. HQ, Port Pirie, SA.

Enlisted in AIF 15 August 1914. Height: 5' 10".

Photos of Lieut.Col. Miell are known to exist in the following: Darley (9th LHR history) frontispiece. Melbourne Punch 14 Jan 1915 p53. Brisbane Courier 22 June 1915 p7. South Australian Register 19 August 1915 p7. Sydney Mail 23 Sep 1915 p21*

Joined AIF 15/8/14. Previously 24th LHR AMF.

*Photo in Sydney Mail 23 Sep 1915 is a group photo of four mounted officers of South Australia - Mjr De Passy, Col S Price Weir VD, Lt Col FM Rowell, Lt Col Miell.

Fought in South African (Boer) War with 5th contingent, Australian Bushmen. Joined CMF in 1888. Gazetted Warrant Officer in 1896, commissioned Lieutenant in the Mounted Rifles, 1899. Previously commanded 24th Light Horse. Commander, 9th LHR.

Married in 1897. Wife was the daughter of J.C. Symons, of Crystal Brook, SA. 2 daughters, 2 sons. Father was Harry Miell, who came to South Australia aboard the 'British Empire' in 1850, lived at 'The Gums', Crystal Brook, and 'died recently'. (South Australian Register 19 August 1915 p8).

CWGC lists NOK (in addition to wife) as: Father; Harry Miell. Mother; Ellen Miell. Lists wife's address as: 4th Ave, St. Peters, SA.

'S. African War, Queens S.A. Medal with five clasps. He had two sons, Gordon & De Lisle & two daughters Eileen & Kathleen. Gordon enlisted at nineteen April 10th 1918 & got into the 9th L.H.R. in Palestine end of July 1918 & was in the last big Push there. Colonel Miell was mentioned in despatches from General Sir Ian Hamilton dated Sept[?] 22nd 1915 for gallant and distinguished service in the field.' (AWM 131 Informant wife, of Fourth Avenue, St. Peters, South Australia).

Embarked at Melbourne aboard HMAT A10 'Karroo', 11 Feb 1915, with 9th Light Horse (transferred from 7th Light Horse). Wounded in scalp 7 June 1915 and admitted to Fleet Sweeper 'Clacton', 8 June 1915. Transferred to No.1 Stationary Hospital, Mudros, discharged 13th June and returned to duty.

Killed in the trenches at Russell's Top, Walker's Ridge, 7th August, during the attack of the 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments on The Nek. (Bean V2 623n).

'The 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments were nearly annihilated, the 8th alone having 12 officers killed out of a total of 19, and practically every man who lived to return was wounded. ...Although the 9th Regiment did not take part in the great charge, it did not escape altogether but suffered a number of casualties, chief amongst which was its gallant leader, Lieut.-Col. Miell, who was shot dead while directing the fire of the Regiment. This gallant officer and gentleman had often stated that his ambition was to lead his splendid regiment in a charge against the enemy, but fate decreed otherwise, and he met a soldier's death at the head of the Regiment. Sergeant-Major Harvey, a fine old soldier, wearer of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, won in South Africa, was also amongst the killed, and Captain Coad and Lieut. McClaughry amongst the wounded. On the following day Major Carew Reynell was appointed to command the Regiment.' (Darley p16).

'MIELL - On the 7th August, killed in action at Gallipoli, Albert (Lieut.-Col., 9th Light Horse Regiment), beloved husband of Lily M. Miell.' (For King and Country', Adelaide Observer 4 Sep 1915 p31).

'Receipt is acknowledged of your B.R. 11530 containing information that Lieutenant Colonel A. Miell had been killed in action. This lettergram was received here at 9 a.m. on 18th instant, but Colonel J. Rowell, 'The Register' and 'Daily Herald' Newspapers were in possession of this information at 5 p.m. on 17th instant. The Censor in Adelaide has been asked to make enquiries as to where this leakage is occurring.' (Letter from Colonel-Commandant, 4th Military District, Keswick Barracks, Adelaide, 18 August 1915, to The Secretary, Department of Defence, Melbourne).

Killed in action at Russell's Top, Anzac sector, Gallipoli, 7th August 1915, aged 45. Buried Ari Burnu cemetery A.17.

The epitaph on Lieut. Col. Miells's headstone in Ari Burnu cemetery reads:

God Stands Within The Shadow And Watches O'er His Own

*************

I have a photo of Lieut. Col. Miell and of his grave. If you'd like to contact me directly off-forum, I can send a copy to you.

Regards,

Bryn Dolan bdolan@anzacs.org

Leaders of Anzacs: Anzac officers died at Gallipoli www.anzacs.org


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