17th Lancers of Spring Hill, Rugby, Harrovian, soldier, sportsman. Father of Gordon. From : "MILLER, EDWARD DARLEY, ... son of Edward Miller, of Hartsfield, Betchworth. He was educated at Harrow, and Trinity College, Cambridge ... He wrote a book called, 'Modern Polo and Horse Management in the Field'."
Our colleague, Andrew Behan, adds that Edward Darley Miller was born on 11 February 1865 at 12 Hyde Park Street, Paddington, Middlesex (now Greater London), the second of the eight children of Edward Miller (circa 1829-1885) and Maria Olivia Miller née Darley (1840-1917). This building has a blue plaque to W. H. Smith. On 14 March 1865 he was baptised in St John the Evangelist Church, Paddington, where in the baptismal register his date of birth is confirmed, that his parents were residing at 12 Hyde Park Street, Paddington and that his father was a merchant. His birth was registered on 15 March 1865 in the Kensington Registration District, Middlesex (now Greater London) and his birth certificate shows his father as an East India merchant.
He is shown as aged 6 years on the census that was undertaken on 2 April 1871. He was living at Tolmers, Bishop Hatfield, Hertfordshire, with his parents, his five siblings: Lucy Maria Miller (1863-1900); Annie Maud Miller (1866-1952); George Arthur Miller (1867-1935); Charles Darley Miller (1868-1951) and William Samuel Miller (1870-1876), together with a governess, a butler, a cook, a nurse, a housemaid, a kitchenmaid, a laundry maid, an under nurse, a nursery maid, an under housemaid and a groom. His father was again described as an East India merchant.
Two more siblings were born: Norah Matilda Miller (1872-1941) and Olivia Mary Miller (1878-1951).
He was listed as aged 16 years on the census that was completed on 3 April 1881. He was boarding at Harrow School, High Street, Harrow, Middlesex (now Greater London).
He was gazetted to the 17th Lancers in October 1886, becoming Captain on 26 October 1892, in which year he retired, and entered the Reserve of Officers
On 25 April 1899 he married Irene Helen Langtry (1875-1969) in All Saints Church, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, where in the marriage register he is shown as aged 34 years, a bachelor and a gentleman who was residing at Spring Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire, the son of Edward Miller, a gentleman, whilst his wife was described as aged 23 years and a spinster, who was living at The Abbotts, Cheltenham, the daughter of Henry Langtry, a Colonel.
When the census was conducted on 31 March 1901 he was listed as aged 36 years and an "Officer, Lieutenant, Reserve of Officers". He was living at Widdington, Clifton Road, Rugby, with his wife and their son, George Gordon Darley Miller (1900-1919), together with a cook, a parlourmaid, a housemaid and a nurse.
He served in the 2nd Boer War as a Captain in the Lancashire Hussars, the Imperial Yeomanry, and as the Brigade Major in the Imperial Yeomanry. He was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette, 10 September 1901) and received the Queen's South Africa Medal with three clasps: Cape Colony; Orange Free State and Transvaal. He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the London Gazette dated 27 September 1901 states "Edward Darley Miller, Captain, Brigade Major, Imperial Yeomanry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by King Edward VII on 29 October 1901.
When their second son, Desmond Charles John Miller (1903-1942) was baptised on 19 May 1903 at St Andrew's Church, Rugby, the baptismal register shows the family were residing at Spring Hall Farm, Rugby and that he was listed as a Captain, Reserve of Officers.
He was Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry. He served in World War One and was Mentioned in Despatches for services in France in 1914. He was awarded the 1914 Star with the "5THAUG. - 22NDNOV.1914" clasp, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1919.
He was shown as aged 56 years, 4 months, a retired officer and a visitor, on the census return form completed by his brother, Colonel Charles Darley Miller, on 19 June 1921. He was visiting his brother's home, a 14 roomed property, at 'Audley Lodge', Putney Park Avenue, London, SW15.
His death was incorrectly registered as aged 65 years in the 1st quarter of 1930 in the Rugby Registration District, Warwickshire. He was in fact aged 64 years and probate records confirm that he died on 4 January 1930 at Spring Hill, Rugby. Probate was granted jointly to his widow, to his son Desmond Charles John Miller - a Lieutenant in H.M. Army and to Ernest Freshfield Dent - a gentleman. His effects totalled £18,954-15s-2d.
His in Clifton Road Cemetery, Clifton Road, Rugby, CV21 3QT.
He is shown as "Colonel E. D. Miller, C.B.E., D.S.O., D.L." on the memorial plaque attached to the east pier of the Harrow School gates, Church Hill, Harrow, HA1 3HN.
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