THE LETTERS OF LEADING STOKERTOM MURGATROYD MILLER
MY SISTER KIDS
Though land and sea part
us, I still see you too,
When asleep in my hammock on the rolling blue
In the furnace glare I see your eyes so bright
Small voices, in the creak of the pumps seem to cry
I see the mischief in my Looie’s eyes
As I write and drink my cup of tea
I remember you two on my Grandad’s knee
I remember when first I saw you two
Little Elsie came first and then baby Lou
The fun we had though you used to cry
Happy years that seemed to fly
I hope and pray for the time to come
When I can come home to share your fun
Let the sea’s be rough and the battle rage
My memories of you kids will never fade
So goodbye for tonight dears, my Elsie and Lou
May God send his Angels to watch over you.
Tommy
27th January 1940
H.M.S. WILD SWAN
The above letter is one of a collection submitted to us by Louisa Hayes (nee Miller) written by her brother, Tom Murgatroyd Miller, and sent home to his family while serving in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
Tom Miller with his
bride Joan Shaw on their wedding day in February 1943
Also pictured are best man Alf Yardy and Winnie (Winifred) Shaw, the
brides sister
Tom Miller joined the Royal Navy in June 1939 being called up in the following
September and posted to the destroyer, H.M.S. Wild Swan, which took part
in the Dunkirk evacuation and was also present at the loss of the Ark
Royal. During operations in the Bay of Biscay, H.M.S. Wild Swan was
attacked by 12 German planes that had been attacking the Spanish fishing
fleet, six of which were shot down, before her steering gear was blown
away causing her to collide with a Spanish trawler and sink. Stoker Miller
survived and was posted to H.M.S. Panther.
On 16th July 1943, Tom wrote the following letter to his Uncle
Alfred while serving on board H.M.S. Panther;
T.M. Miller L/STO
H.M.S. Panther
16.7.43
Dear Uncle,
Well, hoping this finds you in the best of health. I’m fine myself so I have
no worries to bother me. Joan is keeping well, as far as I know. We haven’t
had any mail for a few weeks, so I’m hoping so.
I suppose you’ll be pretty busy with the harvest. I hope the weather
keeps fine and you have a good crop. I wish I was home to help you with
it.
What do you think to the news these days?, things are humming aren’t
they?. I had a surprise the other day, meeting old Dickie Horton. He’s
grown a beard, you should see him. He hasn’t been home for two years so
he’s looking forward to a bit of leave. It’s nearly two years since I
saw him last.
How’s things in Knottla these days, anything interesting happened? Don’t
forget to tell me when you write, all the news. The old chap hasn't blown
the school up yet has he?
I suppose you’re still pestered with the ‘land girl’?. What about
the other little monkey, our Louise? I suppose she ‘helps’ too. Then
there’s little Mary, you’ll be well helped up. They would drive me
crazy, keeping an eye on them.
Anyway, here’s hoping it wont be long before I see you again. So have
one for me when you’re up at the ‘Bay Horse’. Here’s saying
Cheers, and all the Best for now.
Keep Smiling and Good Luck
Yours Truly
Your Nephew
Tom
On the 9th October 1943, less than two months after writing the
above letter, 22 year old Leading Stoker Tom Murgatroyd Miller P/KX 97844
was killed when H.M.S. Panther was lost at sea.
[Miller Family of Knottingley]