John James Miller joined Ilford County High School school on 26th September 1904, having previously studied at Cleveland Road School. Two days later he celebrated his eleventh birthday. He was the son of William and Agnes Miller. His family lived at addresses in Hampton Road and Empress Avenue, Ilford. His father was a Civil Servant.
When he left school, John continued his education at Rothesay Academy, before taking up employment with the Canadian Pacific Ocean Services, as a clerk.
John enlisted on 26th April 1917, joining the 7th Battalion of the Cameron Highlanders. He was a Private and his service number was 5/30394. He died on 20th August 1917, aged 19. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cott Memorial (Panel 136-138).
Research by Andrew Emeny, History Teacher at ICHS
Sources:
Ancestry.com
ICHS school records and magazines
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Note
Ilford County High School started life as the Park Higher Grade School in 1901 in Balfour Road, Ilford. It was renamed Ilford County High School (or initially County High School, Ilford) in the years after the school’s management was transferred from Ilford School Board to Essex Education Committee in 1904.