Regiment No. 823028.Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box: 6235-48, Item: 184769, PDF – B6235-S048. Date of Birth: 24/06/1891 at Cedar Springs, Harwich Twsp., Kent Co., ON. The son of John and Sarah Orpha Miner, the brother of Pte. John Walter and Pte. Russell Miner. Harry attended school in the district of Selton and later at Highgate School in Oxford Twsp., Kent Co.  Harry was a single farmer living in Ridgetown, Howard Twsp., Kent Co. 

Attestation: 1/12/1915 at London, ON. to 142^nd Battalion in Novembner 1915.  Age: 24 yrs. 6 mth., Height: 5’ 7 “, Girth: 30 ¾ “ , Weight: 172# , Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Brown. Medical “Fit”. Harry was treated at No.7 Can. Stat. Hospital at Haore for Tonsillits. He was discharged 16/12/16.       

Harry Miner was born in Cedar Springs and spent much of his life in the southern portion of Kent County. 

Harry transferred from the 142^nd in November 1915. Harry missed one of the frequent parades and his absence was noted. Miner had enlisted with the 161^st Huron, Battalion in order to go overseas more rapidly. He left for overseas 30/01/1916 aboard the S. S. Laplandarriving in England. 

He proceeded to France 18/11/16 TOS with the 58^th Canadian Battalion  November 29th 1916. He was promoted to Corporal during ‘active service’ also was awarded the Victoria Cross and the Croix de Guerre. He had reverted from the rank of Lance Corporal to reach France, He trained at Camp Borden, ON. Left for overseas 27/10/1916 arriving in England 8/11/1916. Missed the parade caused him to receive a sentence of seven days of Field Punishment No.1. Miner’s action seemed not to have affected the generally good opinion formed of him as he was sent on a noncommissioned officers course in August and promoted to lance corporal in February 1918.   He directed $20.00 monthly to Miss Mary Yesbes, at Clinton, ON. Also money was sent to his father John then living at 130 Stanley Ave., Chatham, ON 

Cpl. Miner had contracted Scabies and was treated 9/1/18 by the 12 Can. Fld. Amb.  And was returned Disc. to Duty 15/01/18. His mother and father had moved to 415 Park St. East in Chatham. 

His citation for the Victoria Cross is as follows:

“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in an attack when despite severe wounds he refused to withdraw. He rushed an enemy machine-gun post, single handed., killed the entire crew and turned the gun on the enemy.

Later, with two others he attacked another enemy machine-gun post and succeeded in putting the gun out of action 

Corporal Miner then rushed single-handed an enemy bombing post, bayonetting two of the garrison and putting the remainder to flight. He was mortally wounded in the performance of this gallant deed.

During the night of 30/31 December 1917 being in charge of the wiring party, did excellent work by his example and energy, in keeping his men together for seven hours in spite of the enemy guns which were firing on the position.  

The London Gazette – 26/10/1918  

“Mortally wounded by a German stick grenade during this action, but refused to withdraw. He died later in the day.” 

Beside his VC, which he won at Demuineast of Amiens on the 8^th of August 1918 Harry was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for his activities in the Lens area in 1917. The dedication is as follows: During the night of 30/31 12/1917 being in charge of a wiring party, he did excellent work by his example a energy, in keeping his men together for seven hours in spite of the enemy machine guns, which were firing on posiyions.

Buried at Crouy British Military Cemetery near the village of Crouy-Saint-Piere, about 25 Km. from the battlefield where he fell, Somme, France 

Corporal died of wounds August 8, 1918,  Official Communications received: 

Awarded the Victoria Cross for Valour during the operations against the German lines on August 8, 1918 near in.  Corporal Miner was with the company in the initial attack on the German outpost line.  He received severe wound in the head and shoulder at the commencement of the operations but refused to withdraw.

He then rushed a German machine gun post single-handed, killed the entire crew and turned the gun, which he had captured, on the enemy.

Afterwards, he with two others attacked another machine gun post which was about twelve strong.  He bayoneted two of the garrison and put the remainder to flight.  At this point, this gallant N.C.C. was mortally wounded by German stick grenades.  He was carried out and evacuated, later being reported as “died by wounds” on August 8th, 1918 by the 5th Casualty Clearing Station.  

Upon his death, the community of Blenheim donated a home to his parents to show sympathy for their loss. 

Awarded the Victoria Cross – posthumously.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cenotaph	Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham
Awards	VC, Croix de Querre
Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (21-08-1918), Park Street Methodist Church, Books of Remembrance for the Great War 1914 - 18. At St. Andrews UC, Chatham - January 2010, Chatham Daily Planet (23-08-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (07-09-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (28-10-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (31-10-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (11-03-1919), Chatham Daily Planet (14-03-1919), Chatham Daily Planet (15-03-1919), Chatham Daily Planet (28-03-1919)
Supplemental Information	Father: John Miner, Chatham Mother: Mrs. Orpha Miner Brothers: Pte. John Walter, Pte. Russell

Height	5'7"
Weight	172 lbs. lbs
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	24 yrs. 6 mths.
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Brown
Race	white
Birthplace	Harwich Township
Religion	Methodist
Last Place of Employment	Farm Laborer near Ridgetown
Marital Status	single
When Enlisted	Dec. 1, 1915
Where Enlisted	London, ON

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