Harry Garnet Bedford Miner VC (24 June 1891 – 8 August 1918) was a soldier in the

Canadian Expeditionary Force The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF; French: ''Corps expéditionnaire canadien'') was the expeditionary warfare, expeditionary field force of Canada during the First World War. It was formed on August 15, 1914, following United Kingdom declarat ...

during the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

and posthumous recipient of the

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British ...

, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to

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and

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forces. He earned the award for events that occurred during the Battle of Amiens in August 1918. There are two plaques in his memory in his hometown, Cedar Springs,

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

and his medals are displayed in a local museum.

Early life

Harry Garnet Bedford Miner was born at Cedar Springs in Ontario, on 24 June 1891, the son of John and Orphra Miner. He was educated in Selton and at Highgate School in Oxford Township. After finishing his education, he took up farming. He lived for a time in the United States, first in Ohio and then Detroit.

First World War

In November 1915, after the outbreak of the

, he enlisted in the Canadian Army. He volunteered for the

and was posted to the 142nd Battalion. Arriving in England at the end of October 1916 as a

lance corporal Lance corporal is a military rank, used by many English-speaking armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organisations. It is below the rank of corporal. Etymology The presumed origin of the rank of lance corp ...

, he was transferred to the 161st Battalion. Then, after a period of training, he was sent to the Western Front and taken onto the strength of the 58th Battalion, part of 9th Brigade,

3rd Canadian Division The 3rd Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army responsible for the command and mobilization of all army units in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as Northwestern Ontario including the ...

. In early 1918, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his actions as a leader of a wiring party late the previous year. He was also promoted to corporal. On 8 August 1918, the opening day of the Battle of Amiens, and the beginning of the Hundred Days Offensive, the 9th Brigade was engaged in fighting at Rifle Wood and then near Demuin. It was at the latter location that he performed the actions that led to his recommendation for the

(VC). He was involved in attacks on two machinegun positions and then a bombing post, and was severely wounded in the process. He died later that day of his injuries. The citation for his VC read: Miner was buried in the Crouy Military Cemetery just outside the village of Crouy-Saint-Pierre, about 15 kilometers northwest of Amiens and about 25 km northwest of the battlefield on which he fell.

The medal

Miner's medals, including the VC and the Croix de Guerre, are on display a
Huron County Museum
in Goderich, Ontario. There is a plaque to his memory in his hometown of Cedar Springs; it was unveiled on 22 September 1963 by his brother Ross Miner. There is another plaque to him in the United Church at Cedar Springs. Branch 185 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Blenheim, Ontario, is named the Harry Miner Branch. Branch 140 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Clinton, Ontario is also named after him.

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