Advertisement

Solider who showed 'almost suicidal courage' to sell military medals to help son

Corporal Adam Miller <i>(Image: SWNS)</i>
Corporal Adam Miller (Image: SWNS)

A soldier who showed "almost suicidal courage" by fixing a damaged cargo truck while under heavy fire and grenade attacks by around 100 Iraqi militia is selling his medals.

Corporal Adam Miller became the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) most decorated soldier when he repeatedly ran across a bridge while being shot at and nearly blown up in Basra in 2007.

He was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross by the Queen at Buckingham Palace the following year and a bar was also named the 'Miller Bar' after him at the military base in Tidworth.

Now aged 42, the former army mechanic is selling his medals to help his 10-year-old son - and they could fetch as much as £140,000.

Salisbury Journal:
Salisbury Journal:

Cprl Miller's heroics began when he went to help a civilian low-loader carrying 'high-profile' military vehicles that had been severely damaged during an ambush involving over 100 insurgents.

Over the course of nearly two hours - much of that time under constant heavy enemy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire - he dodged bullets and explosives as he worked on the recovery.

He was under continuous and heavy fire with bullets striking the road, bridge railings and vehicle he was working on, often only inches from him.

The militia then resorted to firing RPGs to try to destroy the low-loader and its military cargo.

Over 15 minutes, five mortars detonated on the vehicle, no more than a few feet from Corporal Miller as he worked.

He was described as "displaying icy nerve, professional dedication, and almost suicidal courage in an impossible situation".

But recalling the moment, Mr Miller said: "At the time, I was completely unaware of the severity of the situation, my sole focus was to extract the casualty vehicle to a place of safety, it was only afterwards that I realised how dangerous the situation had actually been."

The official citation describes his heroics and how Mr Cprl Miller managed to fix the stricken vehicle.

It states: "The loss of military vehicles in the centre of Basra would have allowed the militias to claim a significant victory - the decision was taken to fight to recover the vehicles.

"Whilst this contact was going on, Corporal Miller, a recovery mechanic, was on standby in Basra Palace.

"The complexity and nature of the breakdown meant that the Foden [an unprotected soft-skin wheeled recovery truck] was the only recovery asset capable of performing the task, so Corporal Miller and Lance-Corporal Burn [the Foden driver] were tasked to the scene.

"They were escorted three miles to the breakdown site by a platoon from R Company.
"By the time they arrived, the platoon at the bridge were engaged in an intense gun battle with about 75 militia engaging from 15 to 20 firing points, on roofs, alleyways, cars and from the Iraqi Police Station at ranges of 50 to 200 metres and in a 360° radius.

"Corporal Miller carefully reversed the Foden up to the disabled low-loader and then without hesitation dismounted."

Cprl Miller worked for 45 minutes and ran across an exposed 50-metre (164ft) bridge - all under heavy fire.

The citation added: "The soldiers, fighting for their lives from under armour, watched in fear of Corporal Miller’s life, as he ran forward 50 metres across the exposed bridge, in complete view of the enemy to begin his assessment.

"For the next 45 minutes, with only one single Bulldog [armoured personnel carrier] to provide a shield at the site…he worked on the recovery, attempting first to bleed the brakes; then to unhook the tractor unit; and then to cut the securing chains for the Saxon and Land Rover.

"He repeatedly ran back to the company commander’s Bulldog to report on his progress.

"Throughout this period, he was under continuous and heavy fire with bullets striking the road, bridge railings and vehicle he was working on, often only inches from him.

"The militia then resorted to firing RPGs to attempt to destroy the low-loader and its high-profile military cargo.

"Over 15 minutes, five RPGs [rocket propelled grenades] detonated on the vehicle, no more than a few feet from Corporal Miller as he worked."

As a result of his gallantry, he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

To date a total of 60 Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses have been awarded and Miller’s is unique as no member of the REME has been awarded either the Victoria Cross or the George Cross - making him the Corps’ highest-decorated soldier.

It is part of a group of six medals being sold at auction, estimated to fetch between £100,000 and £140,000.

Mr Miller grew up in Calne, Wiltshire, and joined the Corps of REME in June 1998 at the age of 17.

He served with the REME in Germany, Canada and the UK, as well as being deployed on operations to both Kosovo and Iraq.

Describing why he is selling his medals he said: "Being given the C.G.C was pretty surreal, and I am so proud that I am still the only member of REME to have been awarded this.

"As there are no major conflicts now, I can’t see that any more will be presented soon.

"I know that several people pass medals down their families, but I have decided to sell them now, so that my son, who is 10 years old, can benefit from the proceeds. It can help him with his education or buying a house."

During his time in the corps, Cprl Miller was also awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in September 2013, and having been advanced Warrant Officer Class II, was discharged in January 2023, after 24 years’ exemplary service.

Noonans will hold the sale of Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria on April 19.