MINER, Harry Garnet Bedford
DIVISIONAL UNIT: 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
9th Infantry Brigade
58th Battalion - Central Ontario
Canadian Infantry Corps
AWARDS: Victoria Cross / French Croix de Guerre
SERVICE NO: 823028
RESIDENCE: Kippen - Ontario
DATE OF BIRTH: June 24, 1891
Cedar Springs – Kent County - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH: August 8, 1918 27 years 2 months
CEMETERY: Crouy British Cemetery – Crouy-sur-Somme –
Somme – France
V B 11
PARENTS: Mr. John and Sarah Miner – Ridgetown - Ontario
Occupation: Farmer Religion: Methodist
Enlistment: December 1, 1915 – London into the 142nd Battalion.
Enlistment Age: 24 years 6 months
Harry had been educated at Highgate School in Oxford Township prior to him becoming a farmer.
Harry Miner was recruited in London, Ontario with the 142nd Battalion, but transferred to the 161st Battalion before going overseas. Recruited by the 142nd Battalion on 1 December, 1915, Miner was transferred to the 161st battalion on 22 March 1916. Once in France he joined the 58th Canadian Infantry Battalion and while serving in the field with that unit, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Miner also received the French Croix de Guerre.
Private Miner left Canada on the S.S. Lapland and arrived in Liverpool on November 11, 1916 and that same day he was promoted to Lance Corporal at Shorncliffe. He returned to rank of Private so that he can proceed to France. He transfers to the 58th Battalion and goes to France on November 27, 1916 and joins the 58th already in the field on December 22, 1916. On February 2, 1918 he was appointed the rank of Lance Corporal. He attends and completes 2nd Trump Line Course and returns to the 58th on February 7, 1918.
August 8, 1918 was the first day of the Battle of Amiens and also the first day of the Hundred Days Offensive.
Corporal Miner had previously during the military operations of this day captured an enemy machine gun nest and was in the process of trying to take a second enemy position when he was seriously wounded. His wounds were to his left arm, head and face. For his actions he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He and his Company were located east of Amiens near Demuin.
Corporal Miner was taken to the nearest Dressing Station and from there moved to No. 5 British Casualty Clearing Station – at either Vecquemont or Proyart where he succumbed to his wounds.
In this particular morning Corportal Miner was advancing with his Company east of Amiens near Demuin and very shortly they encountered an enemy machine-gun and as he was moving forward to try and capture this gun he was severely wounded. He was taken to the nearest Advance Dressing Station and then Casualty Clearing Station.
Even though he was seriously wounded he did not withdraw and again rushed the machine-gun post single-handed, killed the enemy gun crew and turned their gun on the enemy. Later, along with two others he attacked another machine-gun post, and as well put this gun out of commission. He then rushed an enemy bombing post, bayoneted two of the enemy and the rest fled
The Victoria Cross Citation: “For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty inn aattack, 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 this gun out of action. Corporal Miner then rushed single handed an enemy bombing post, bayoneting two of the garrison and putting the remainder to flight. He was mortally wounded in the performance of this gallant deed.”
French Croix de Guerre Citation: During the night of 30/31 December 1917, being in charge of a wiring party, did excellent work by his example and energy, in keeping his men together for seven hours in spite of the enemy machine guns which were firing on the position.
