Father Ignatius was born at Whitby in 1893 and was always proud of his Yorkshire lineage. He had that forthrightness of speech and manner which is so typical of his native country. He came to Ampleforth in 1906, went on to the Novitiate at Belmont in 1911 and, after taking his degree at Oxford, was ordained priest in 1919.
In his teaching at Ampleforth his forceful and clear diction and exposition compelled attention. It was in the teaching of Geography especially that he made his mark. He thoroughly re-organized this department, and students who had regarded it as an arid task of memorizing lists of mountain ranges, capes, rivers and oceans, soon began to find it an absorbing study of the life of peoples and how they are affected by surroundings and climate. It took one on imaginary voyages of discovery along the trade routes radiating out from the great ports of the world. He also taught Latin, English and Religious Knowledge and it was in this last that showed his great zeal for the Faith so that those whom he taught were well equipped to go out into the world ready to uphold and defend their Faith.
Fr Ignatius also took an active part in the games. But when Fr Paul was appointed Head Master, Fr Ignatius succeeded him in charge of the Ampleforth Parish. His business-like methods and directness of manner appealed to the people and heightened their appreciation of his kindliness. He took an active part in all their interests, lay as well as spiritual, and had a remarkable knowledge of intricate family relationships. He soon became a member of the Parish Council and then of the Rural District Council of which he was Chairman for the last four years of his life. His close interest in this work remained to the end.
In 1940 he was appointed Procurator, an unenviable post at that difficult time and, faced with the anxiety and magnitude of the task in those years, he seemed to lose something of his accustomed gaiety and liveliness. Perhaps it was the first sign of the sickness which so soon proved fatal. In common with many, he had a strong aversion from illness and pain and, prolonged as it was, it must have been a heavy cross for him to bear.
After being relieved of this duty, in 1948, he was appointed Parish Priest of Easingwold. There it was hoped, he would find scope enough for his still vigorous powers and enthusiasm; but it was not to be. Soon the disease from which he died showed itself. After a period of treatment with the Sisters of Mercy at Horsforth there were signs of improvement and he returned to Ampleforth. Then there was a relapse and he was removed to the Leeds Infirmary where, after lingering some time, he died on September 25th, fully resigned to God's will and fortified by the Rites of the Church.
The funeral at Ampleforth was remarkable for the large number of those who came from all over the district and representing many branches of public life who joined with his brethren in the last journey to the cemetery on the hill. May he rest in peace.
JOHN IGNATIUS MILLER 25 September 1949
1893 20 Apr Born Whitby
1905-08 Educ Ampleforth
1908-09 Educ Ushaw
1909-11 Educ Ampleforth
1911 5 Oct Habit
1912 9 Oct Simple Profession Belmont Prior Fowler
1913 1 Feb Minor Orders Belmont Bishop Hedley
1915 19 Dec Solemn Vows Ampleforth Abbot Smith
1916 16 Jan Subdeacon
1916? 17 Jan$$ Deacon Ampleforth Bishop Lacy
1919 25 Jul Priesthood Ampleforth Bishop Vaughan
1925 Jan In charge of Apleforth Village
1940 10 Sep Procurator
1948 7 Sep Incumbent to Easingwold
2 Nov Purey Cust Nursing Home
15 Nov Extreme unction
Returned to Ampleforth
1949 25 Sep Died in Leeds Gen Infirmary
Buried at Ampleforth