John Frederick Charles Miller
Born in Mile End, London, in 1879, John was one of seven children born to Walter, a general labourer, and Susan (née Tuck). In 1891 the family lived at 14 Railway Cottages, West Ham, in the East End of London. Enrolled as a seaman with the Royal Navy in 1896 when he was 17yrs old, the 1901 Census has John listed as a prisoner at Lewes, Sussex.
John married Blanche Tomes at West Ham in 1907. By 1911 he had left the Royal Navy, working as a dock labourer at the London Docks. They lived at 6 Ashburton Terrace, Plaistow, in the East End of London and had a 2yr old son, Victor. Their nephew, Albert, also lived with them.
It is uncertain what brought John and his family to St Ives, and when they arrived. At the time of his death the family home was at 17 Ramsey Road, St Ives.
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| HMS Illustrious |
A some point John rejoined the Royal Navy and served aboard HMS Illustrious. When war broke out she was one of the oldest battleships in the Royal Navy, rendered obsolete by the new class of dreadnoughts. Until 1915 she served as a guard ship around the north of England. Thereafter Illustrious served as a store ship for the remainder of the war.
On 13 October 1917 whilst working on Illustrious, John fell 75 feet into a hatchway and severely injured his back. He survived for five weeks in a hospital in Newcastle before dying on 18 November 1917, aged 38yrs. He is buried in St Ives Public Cemetery. The Hunts Post reported his death on 30 November 1917.
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Source materials
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