BX August 27, 1914

Lieutenant Frederick William Miller Tells of Camp at Valcartier

The members of the Dufferin Rifles active service contingent, now part of the 6th Battalion of the 2nd Brigade of the Canadian contingent, are taking to their work at Valcartier Camp, Quebec like a duck takes to water. They are already settled down in camp, and have never a complaint to make, the grub being especially good.

The following letter, received by Capt. William Miller, of the Dufferin Rifles, from his son, Lt. Frederick W. Miller, who is with the Dufferin Rifles and who has been appointed temporary quartermaster of the 6th Battalion, will be read with much interest by those left behind.

August 23, 1914

Arrived here this morning at 10 a.m. and we’re just getting settled now. Had our dinner about 1 p.m. The rations are going to be very good. Have seen quite a number of chaps that I know. Some bankers from Hamilton and some of the old 20th Regiment. There are nearly 1500 officers here, which is about 600 more than they require.

I have been appointed temporary quartermaster for our battalion (the 6th). It is certainly an enormous undertaking. I had to go to headquarters this morning and the stuff I ordered for one company alone required three days to carry it. Everything from soup to nuts. The Queen’s Own arrived after us with 800 men and some 30 officers. The country down here is beautiful. Everyone standing along the road stares at you and if you smile at them they take of their hats and say “Bon Jour.”

From all appearances the troops won’t leave here until the end of September. Percy has just come in to do his little daily letter.

Hope everything is going good at home. Don’t worry about me because we dine in evening dress and go to our meals in carriages. Haven’t seen that raw pork yet. Lots of water here.

If the Kaiser could only see this mob of men he’d retire at the double. Have to go to the ordinance stores now. Will write later.

Frederick

BX October 19, 1914

His Letter Was Held Up – Lieutenant Frederick William Miller Wrote to His Parents From Gaspe but Authorities Interfered

An interesting letter has been received by Capt. Miller from his son, Lieut. Frederick W. Miller with the Brantford contingent, now in Salisbury Plains, England. The letter was written at Gaspe, Quebec and was to have been smuggled out. As it was written on Oct 3 and not received until this morning. It is evident that the smuggling did not work and that the letter was held over for a week to nullify any military news it might contain. The letter is as follows:

October 3, 1914
C.P.R., S.S. Tyrolia

Dear Father and Mother,

We are now in Gaspe harbor. We left Quebec a week ago Friday night and arrived here on Monday morning. We have been in the harbor since Monday waiting for the rest of the transports. The last one arrived this morning, making 32 in all. There are four armored cruisers to accompany us, they being the Diana, Eclipse, Charybdis and Talbot. Our line when we are sailing will extend six miles.

Since arriving here the weather has been simply grand. All around the harbor, there are farms sloping down to the water’s edge. The houses are all painted bright colors and it makes a most picturesque sight early in the morning when the sun has risen.

All communication from us is cut off and we are just taking a chance on our mail getting away.  We have a sick man going ashore this morning to be sent home and we are putting all our mail into a bag and sending it as personal effects, so if you get this we are “putting one over.”  Yesterday afternoon, by permission of the rear admiral, our mail, which was sent to Valcartier after we had left, was brought aboard.

The Hon. Minister has arrived on the scene in a private boat, and is making a visit to each of the transports before the fleet sails. We expect him today.

Our boat is a good one and we are still enjoying a comfortable trip. Our meals are excellent and so far we have only one sick man (heart disease) on board. On board we have physical exercises, signalling drill and in the evenings we read and study our manuals of drill. We have a fine bunch of officers with us and we certainly enjoy ourselves with these when we are not studying. There is also lots of sport fishing. We catch jelly fish in pails and also the horned garnet. When we get a garnet we put corks on the horns and throw it back in, and it is very amusing to watch it trying to go down. Coming from Quebec we saw quite a large whale and we are expecting to see more when we get into the Atlantic. A stray fisherman passed us yesterday and shouted some encouraging news about the war, but the captain of the ship shooed him away. There are over 250 nurses on board one of the transports and the officers are on deck with their glasses scouring the fleet every chance they get. Mr. Higgins, our adjutant, and myself give service for the men Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

Mail will reach me if you address Lt. F.W. Miller, 4th Batt. 1st Brigade, Canadian Expeditionary Forces, care Canadian High Commissioner, London England. There is little time left now before the men leave. I will write whenever I get a chance.

Yours as ever,
Fred.

BX November 10, 1914

Interesting Letters From Old Land – Members of Dufferin Rifles and Brant Dragoons Write Home Telling of Their Experiences at Salisbury Camp

Four interesting letters from today’s budget from the old land, giving various aspects of the war situation especially with regard to the Brantford boys in the First Canadian Contingent. The first two letters are from Lieut. Frederick W. Miller and Sergt. E. Prior of the Dufferin Rifles first active service company. The third is from Trooper Ralph Whitehead of the 25th Brant Dragoons, written while he was in the base hospital. 

The letter from Lieut. F.W. Miller to his father, Capt. W. Miller, of G. Company, Dufferin Rifles, is as follows:

4th Batt., 1st Brigade
Bustard Camp, Salisbury Plains,
Eng.
 
Dear Father and All,
 
I must set your minds at ease about our safe landing and comforts here. We were on the boat 30 days. Of course we spent over a week in the harbor at Plymouth. You understand our destination was to have been Southampton, but on account of a fleet of German submarines waiting outside that port to give us a reception we were steered into Plymouth. Of course not expecting us there they were not able to dispose of us, and we were therefore left on our boats until railway accommodation could be provided.  The officers were allowed to go ashore daily and we met some very fine people and had a grand time while we were there. It is amazing to see the way they receive us over here. They seem to think that the Canadians are about as near perfect as humans can be. The people, old men, little children, and all, would stop us on the streets and you could see the greatest beam of satisfaction come over their faces if we would only say a word or two to them. They pleaded for our buttons, crest and Canadian coins for keepsakes. Everything was thrown open to us and they would feel greatly insulted if we didn't partake of their hospitality. I attended mass last Sunday at a quaint little stone church in Devonport. I was lucky enough to get in at a children's mass and it touched me to hear the youngsters singing the hymns we used to sing when Sister Athonatious was in charge of the junior choir at home.

We disembarked on Oct. 22 and entrained at Plymouth at 9 p.m., arriving at Lavington about 2.30 a.m. the following morning. We marched from there to our camp, a distance of about 12 miles arriving here about 7 a.m. Our tents were pitched for us, so we got busy and made coffee and breakfast. The 38th never lost a man in the march, but several were missing from the other companies when we arrived.

We have adopted the Platoon system, which you will see in our 1914 Infantry Training. This necessitated another cut off of 12 officers, but I am still one of the fortunate ones and I am pleased to say all of the 38th officers got berths, and they were the only corps in the battalion that did.

There are only four companies in the battalion. Three have majors at the head, while "good old Mac" commands the fourth. He will undoubtedly attain his majority in the near future. He gets a horse now and looks equally as good mounted as on foot. I have been given command of a platoon, as have also Walter and Percy.

We are to be in tents here for three weeks and then we are moving into huts about three miles away, which are now in the course of construction. From all reports we are to be in England until the spring. The climate here is much milder than in Quebec. The accommodation for troops is illimitable. The plains cover miles. There are, I heard, about 80,000 troops camped on the Plains now. Of course each division has a separate area. The next camp to us is about three miles away. There are about 500,000 English troops in training at present in different parts of England and Kitchener says he will have 1,000,000 to put into the field in the spring. We get the correct dope right from the front daily, and although it is some scrap, there is not the slightest doubt as to the final result. The Germans now are downhearted, while the English Tommie in the trenches is as happy as a lark. He smokes his cigarette and drinks his cup of tea between the shells, and from reports of some of the wounded who are near here they are in great spirits at the front.

The headquarters for the air fleet is situated a couple of miles away and we interestedly watch machines of every description operating above us all day long. The efficiency of the drivers is wonderful and they do some very fine stunts sometimes. They fear a Zeppelin raid in London, so our machines must keep in the air night and day.

I expect to go up to London soon. We can get seven days' leave whenever we want it. Walter has some wealthy relatives there whom we will call on.

Glad to know that G. Company is looking up and that you had a successful field day. Every day is field day here. We get nothing but skirmishing and route marches. Three route marches a week I understand is to be the average and we start off on 6 miles and gradually increase the distance day by day.

We have organized baseball and football teams in the companies and give the men boxing gloves to keep them interested. I am chairman of the baseball committee and a member of the executive. We have a first class officers' mess, although not quite as toney as the menu I sent you from the boat.

It is very unfortunate that the newspapers at home should resort to such cheap advertising as publishing the "wind" that seven transports were sunk. No matter what reports you hear over there which concerns any mishaps or accidents to the Canadian contingent let in one ear and out the other, because we are just as well off as if we were at home and there will be nothing put over on us I can assure you, and when our chance comes we will give an account of ourselves which will be worthy of the best traditions of "Our Lady of the Snows."

I have lots more news to tell you, but I will not make this any longer as I have a meeting of my non-coms very shortly. I have got my platoon fairly well organized now and I will have more time to write you – if possible once a day.
Good-bye for now.

Fred.
P.S. – Regards from fellow officers

BX December 23, 1914

Lieutenant Frederick William Miller Talked With Brantford Soldier in Hospital – Constable John Cobden Getting Better

Capt. W. Miller has received a letter from Lieut. Fred Miller, his son, now with the Dufferin Rifles at Salisbury Plain, training for the front. The letter states that Sergeant Davis, a member of the contingent, saw Constable Cobden in the hospital in England. Cobden was getting along very nicely, though his injured back would likely prevent him from getting into action again. The doctor stated, however, that eventually he would be sound.

John Cobden, who was a reservist of the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards, and was injured in the battle of the Aisne, stated to Sergeant Davis that the last he had seen of Constable John William Blanchard, also of the Coldstream Guards was when during the fight, Blanchard was using his bayonet in a German rush to marked effect, nine dead Germans lying at his feet.

Since that time no word has been heard of John Blanchard. He had a reputation here for efficiency in bayonet work.

BX March 15, 1915

Lieutenant Frederick William  Miller Writes of Life in Trenches – Interesting Letter From The Front – Brantford Officer Tells of the Canadians Billets in France and Some of Their Early Experiences – Bullets One Hears Not the Ones to be Feared He Says

“That the bullet you hear isn’t the one that will hit you” is the crux of opinion of Lieut. Frederick Miller, of B. Company, 4th Battalion, First Brigade, Canadian Expeditionary Force after having had a go in the trenches. Two very interesting letters have been received from him by his father, Capt. W. Miller, who will shortly be joining the 36th Battalion of the third Canadian contingent. One letter was written before and the other after getting into the trenches. They follow:

February 18, 1915

British Expeditionary Force,
1st Canadian Contingent,
1st Infantry Brigade,
4th Battalion, B. Company
France 

Dear Mother, Dad and All,

We arrived on the continent on Feb. 12, and the past six days have probably been the most interesting and decidedly the most exciting since this tea party commenced. We are now up where we don’t have to satisfy our vivacious appetites for news or rumors. We can see the wheels go round and I am just beginning to entertain the realization of my early aspirations. Our first billet was in a small village of about 1,500 populations, about 20 miles from the firing line. It was occupied by Yeoman troops in the infancy of the war, but later was restored to its inhabitants by a handful of that “contemptible little army.”  Our present billet, which is about two miles from the firing line, is not quite as commodious as some barns I’ve been in, but affords us a good shelter and plenty of straw for sleeping on. The greatest inconvenience is the pigs. They make fairly good bed fellows, but apparently haven’t the slightest conception of etiquette.

I am sorry to say that many of the stories of German atrocities are quite true. One little girl at our last billet had one of her hands cut off by a German because she displeased him in some way. This is one instance. There are many.
The wet weather has followed us over and there is quite sufficient mud for all ordinary purposes, but we are very high spirited and that counts a lot in this game.

We are going up to get our baptism tonight and will be coming out Saturday night. Will drop you word later and let you know how I enjoyed “the fireworks.”

Sorry I can’t give you any information regarding our whereabouts just now. Suffice it to say that we are not missing much and are quite content and in good health.

Frederick

Was In The Trenches

Dear Mother, Dad, and All

The last few days have seen my initiation into modern warfare as waged at the front, and not as carefully, painstakingly laid down in our drill and training manuals. I went into the fire trenches on the 18th, and came out tonight at 7.30. The experience was most interesting, but quite different to what I had expected. To give you my views and opinions would be to disclose the interior secrets of the army. Suffice it to say that we hold a concreted line which in my humble opinion is impregnable. It doesn’t pay to underestimate our adversaries, however, and we must give them credit for having some wonderfully good snipers among them, for whom our men have a wholesome respect.

The comforts of the trench are more or less modern. We have an officer’s mess dug into the earth and covered with a bomb-proof steel roof. In our mess we have a stove, two tables, a cupboard and a half-dozen chairs. Our sleeping apartments and likewise the men’s are also “dugouts,” and possibly a trifle more comfortable than some billets we have been in. The mud and water are a source of much invention on the part of “Tommy.”  In some trenches they have small steam pumps for the purpose, but in ours we used buckets for bailing. Then of course there are the thoughtless Germans about three hundred yards away, making all sorts of horrid noises like the twenty-fourth of May. Of course one gets used to this, and consoles oneself with the knowledge that the bullet you hear isn’t the one that hits you. During my tour I shaved each morning, and it would have done credit to Ernie Brandt.

When I came back to the billet tonight there were several letters from you for me, which I devoured with my bully biscuit.

I have quite a lot of work and orders to pour over before retiring, and also a lecture to deliver to my platoon on my experiences in the trenches. I expect to take them in tomorrow night to take up their position along side of their English brothers.

Hope you are all well. Don’t worry, but watch for news. Expect to be with you soon. 

Best love,
Frederick

BX March 31, 1915

Everything is Lovely; No Cause for Worry – Situation Favorable for Allies – Lieut. Frederick William Miller Writes an Optimistic Letter From the Front – Remarkable Coolness Shown by Brantford Boys Wins For them High Praise
    
Ten Brantford men, in the company to which Lieutenant Fred Miller is attached in the Fourth Battalion, First Brigade, First Canadian Contingent, now in the trenches had to go to the hospital as a result of 72 hours stay in the trenches. Fortunately, however, none was killed.

The news was brought to the city in a letter from Lieut. Frederick Miller, who states with emphasis that the Brantford men proved themselves through and through, justifying his every confidence in them. They were specially commended by divisional headquarters. His latest letters read as follows:

March 6, 1915
 
Fourth Battalion, First Infantry Brigade
First Canadian Force
British Expeditionary Force
France
 
After a few days bombardment our esteemed Friends, "the Huns," have bottled up their horrid, nasty noises and decided to give us a breathing space to write a few letters.

We came into these trenches yesterday and, of course, like moving into a new house, it takes some time to get settled, and especially when the neighbors are so beastly unsociable. It may appear to you to be extremely humorous, but to us it was decidedly inconvenient to find when we got up this morning that the enemy had dropped one of those horrid fire-crackers into our mess and made it appear as the literal meaning of the word. We have consequently decided to get even by putting some snipers in front of their trench to pick off their cooks when they come out for rations at a neutral cabbage patch mid-way between the lines.
 
Food Is Plentiful
 
All our supplies are brought up to us during the night from the rear. There is an abundance of food, but such commodities as water and fuel are scarce, and the supply has to be carefully guarded. Such things do not keep the smart looking Canadian from preserving his appearance, however, and I actually saw some of the boys shaving this morning with some tea saved from breakfast.

Notwithstanding the hardships and inconveniences of this stage of the game it is an unusual thing to see a sober face amongst either officers or men.
 
Remarkable Coolness
 
The Brantford boys have shown wonderful coolness and steadiness under fire, and you have every reason to feel proud of them. I have the utmost confidence in the boys of my command, and we are going to see the whole show through.
Our mail is brought up to us every night, and also a collection is made daily. Will try to get in a line every day if possible.

The situation here is good just now, and very hopeful for the future. Kindest regards to my friends. Don't worry. Everything is O.K.
 
Frederick

Long Stretch in Trenches
 
March 10, 1915
 
We have just completed a 96 hour tour in the trenches, coming out last night at dusk. The work and discipline of our company under fire brought much congratulations from divisional headquarters. The men of my command demonstrated with emphasis, the faith and confidence they had in me and to say that I am proud of every one of them doesn't commence to express my feelings. Everything was carried out without a hitch, and I must make special mention of my second in command, Sergt. J. Dockray.

Everything is going good for the Allies. The present situation is splendid, and I think things will happen decisively in a very short time.

There were about ten of the men from our company sent to hospital during our tour, but fortunately there was none killed.

Sorry I can't tell you about our actions, because they are so interesting. However, it will make good food for evenings beside the old fire grate when I return.

Now don't worry; I have had luck so far, and my health is excellent and really that is the main thing on this job.

Give my kindest regards to all my good old friends; not writing any of them now, as there is absolutely no spare time on our hands any more. If we sleep two hours out of 24 we feel as though we have "slept in."  Will try and get you a word daily, but if you do not hear, do not worry.
 
Frederick

BX April 20, 1915

Lieutenant Frederick William Miller Predicts War Will End Soon – Newsy Letters Received From Brantford Officer on the Firing Line
 
Mrs. Miller, 217 Brant Avenue has received a series of newsy letters from her son, Lieut. F.W. Miller, with the First Contingent. He dwells on the beautiful spring weather the troops are now enjoying in France, the confidence of the British authorities are getting in the Canadians, which is shown by the fact that they are being used in the most important trenches, the excellent spirit of the troops, and lastly, he twice predicts that while there is yet much hard fighting to be done, he believes that the war will end sooner than some people think. The letters denuded of personal matters follows:
 
March 21, 1915
 
Today is the first day of spring, and it is simply wonderful. The sun is shining very strongly and the sky hasn't a cloud. If I could shut my eyes to the ruined houses and buildings and all the vast destruction I could then imagine, or rather, realize, "Sunny France."

We have been out of the trenches four days now and I must confess I am lonesome to get back again. There are churches everywhere here, and whenever we come out of the trenches I always make a call. Some of them have been very beautiful, but now lay crumbled to the ground. On Sunday I received communion at a pretty little church that hasn't yet been hit with shells. Rather strange too, because it's only about two miles from the firing line.

Have seen about six aeroplane fights this morning. It is such a clear day that they all are out flying, and no sooner does one come up than there is an enemy plane after it. The sight is very pretty. Two German planes were brought down this morning, but no British.
 
Back in the Trenches
 
March 23, 1915
 
Got rather a sudden call on Sunday night and hadn't time to finish this. We are now back in the trenches, and I am feeling right at home. We have been fortunate this time in having dry weather and our trenches are comparatively habitable. Had some snaps taken this morning and will send you some when they come back from London. I will give you an idea what we look like in trench habit.

During the quiet hours early in the morning I was out behind the lines and picked some daisies, which I am enclosing.  This is the only flower I can send on account of our secrecy because you know "Daisies won't tell."

Things are a little quiet here just now; rather too quiet to be natural (touch wood). We are expecting to be moved to a different part of the line in a day or so, but as yet I don't know where.
 
Confidence in Canadians
 
March 24, 1915
 
I always try to write you once a day when in billets, but, of course, that is practically out of the question when we are in the line. This morning however, things are exceptionally quiet, and I rather think I can write a whole letter through without some beastly rotter dropping a couple of tons of high explosive on my "pilot house."

The time seems to be slipping around at a terrific rate these days. The four days tour in the line seems to pass in a day. Perhaps it is because we don't wash or shave during the tour and only have about six or eight hours sleep. We go out tomorrow night unless something unforeseen crops up in the meantime. Next time we come up we are taking over a more important part of the line; in fact, it is the most important, so you see after all our terms of servitude at Valcartier and Salisbury for lack of discipline, they are at last satisfied that we are at least more than ornamental. Authorities seem to differ materially as regards to the cessation of hostilities. It looks to me like a matter of just a short time, however, although we all realize that the real scrapping must come yet.

Spring has opened up here not with Easter bonnets and new suits, but just nature's simple introduction. The grass is taking on an emerald green and the monotony is relieved by the frequent appearances of all the pretty wild flowers. It is really beautiful to sit in the sunshine basking with your head ducked at a safe distance below the trench. Yesterday morning everyone seemed moved by this spirit of the season, and for some little time both Germans and our boys were standing with head and shoulders up above the parapet gazing interestedly around. The Huns shouted over greetings in very good English, and our lads returned the compliment. There are Saxons opposite us and they have no interest in the war, but are forced by the Prussian Guards to stay in the fight. They have been known around here to come to the British lines and surrender, saying they "were fed up and wanted the war to end."
 
Observe Holy Days
 
April 2, 1915
Good Friday
 
On account of today being a holy day we have slackened up slightly in our work and I am seizing the opportunity for letter writing.

I've been travelling around quite a lot recently and am sending you some postcard views. Whenever I get an opportunity I will get these views and you can keep them for me and it will help me to tell you about where I have been, after the war.

There has been nothing very startling here for a week or so now, although we did get into a warm corner a couple of nights ago. Don't worry. We are all expecting that the war will be over before long, and we'll soon be wearing white ducks and flannel shirts, and parading around with a haughty air and an accent.
 
The Easter Parade
 
April 4, 1915
 
Well, here we are around to Easter again, and it's getting real spring like. Think soon I will finish my tour of the continent and return for the summer months.

Got up early this morning, shaved and actually combed my hair, turned my socks inside out, put a clean handkerchief up my sleeve, and with a real Brant Avenue air strode across a couple plowed fields to Neuf Berqulen to attend church. It was a soldiers' mass. There were no new bonnets on the women and girls as we watched them filing out of church. They were mostly wearing mourning, as this district is right up to the firing line, and the church itself has been hit by 1,500 shells. What men were at church were aged and feeble.  It's a very rare thing to see a young man in civilian clothes around here.

Everything is going on well. There is so very little to tell you. Things have been quiet for a few days, but we are expecting "something doing" soon.

Kindest regards to all my friends.

BX May 3, 1915 

Up to April 17, the Brantford boys were "still smiling," on the jump all the time and momentarily expecting to be ordered up into the actual firing line – an expectation that was fulfilled within a few days after that, and to prove the last move for some of them.

With the English mail, which arrived in the city on Saturday, came a number of letters from Brantford boys with the first Canadian contingent, and some from those still at that time, in England at various camps. Up to that time they were in good shape, though anxious to get to the firing line. This is shown by letters received here by relatives from Capt. M.A. Colquhoun, and Lieut. Miller, both with the Brantford contingent of the 4th Battalion.

Lieutenant Frederick W. Miller, subaltern under Capt. Colquhoun writing under date of April, stated that he had received the parcels sent him by his mother and sisters here, and mentioned that they were ready to go on the march at any time. He added that the Brantford boys were "still smiling."

It will be remembered that Lieut. Miller was wounded in this battle. The official word came through but nothing further has been received, and on Saturday Capt. Miller, paymaster of the 36th Battalion at Hamilton, his father, wired to find out how he was getting along. An answer is expected within a day or two.

BX May 11, 1915

Lieutenant Frederick William Miller Tells How He Was Wounded in Fighting At Ypres

For 16 hours Lieut. Frederick W. Miller, of the Dufferin Rifles, now of the 4th Battalion, C.E.F., lay out in the open, suffering from a bullet wound in the scalp. Wounded at 5 o’clock in the morning it was 9 o’clock in the evening before help reached him.

This is told by him in a letter received at noon yesterday by his mother, Mrs. William Miller 217 Brant Avenue. The letter, which was a comparatively short one, was dated April 25, from the No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital at La Fouquette, on the seashore there.

He stated that he received his wound in the big battle near Ypres. The Canadians were out of the trenches when, by the use of poisonous gases the Germans forced the French to drop back about two miles. Then the Canadians were ordered up to the position. At 5 o’clock in the morning they sighted the Germans 1000 yards away, and continued the advance. At about 250 yards from the Germans, Lieut. Miller was hit and dropped, with a bullet wound in the scalp. He was unable to move, the stretcher-bearers could not get up that far, and he laid there until 9 o’clock of that evening, seeing, however the whole thing through.

Lieut. Miller stated that Capt. Mac. Colquhoun and Lieut. Percy Jones came through unscathed, but he was afraid that the casualty list would be enormous, and that the 4th Battalion, which had stood the brunt, had lost very heavily. They had, however, made a name that would go down into history in gilt letters.

Address
Lieut. F.W. Miller,
6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade
Valcartier, P.O.