BRIGADIER R. MILES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 October 1943, Page 2

BRIGADIER R. MILES

NEWS RECEIVED OF DEATH IN SPAIN. FOLLOWING ON ESCAPE FROM ITALY. .-p v Teiegraoh—Press Association.) 1 ' WELLINGTON. This Day. “News has been received of . the death in Spain of Brigadier Reginald Miles. C.8.E.. D. 5.0.,” said the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, in a statement last evening. "The late Brigadier Miles was captured while serving with the 2nd N Z.E.F. in the Middle East and was held in Italy as a prisoner of war. Together with Brigadier Hargest he subsequently escaped to Switzeiland, where he had been living for some time, but the information suggests that he later made his way from Switzerland in disguise to Spain, where he died. "Brigadier Miles belonged to the New Zealand Regular Forces and was an outstanding officer,” the Prime Minister continued. 'He graduated at the Roval Military College of Australia Duntroon, in 1914. and served with the New Zealand Artillery in France and Gallipoli in the 1914-18 war, holding many staff appointments. For his services he was awarded the D. 5.0., M.C., and a mention in dispatches. He held various staff appointments on his return to New Zealand, proceeding in 1924 to England where he attended the Staff College at Camberley for two years, later being attached to the War Office before returning to New Zealand. He again proceeded to England in 1937 to attend the Imperial Defence College, and after graduating was attached for liaison duties to the War Office.

“Shortly after his return to New Zealand he was appointed Quartfer-master-General and third military member of the New Zealand Army Board. In 1940 he proceeded overseas as commander of the New Zealand Artillery with the 2nd. Division, and held this appointment at the time he was captured. For his services in Greece, Egypt, the Western Desert and Tobruk, he received the Mention in Dispatches, the C.8.E., and for escaping from Italy a bar to his D.S.O. In April, 1942, he was awarded the Greek Military Cross, Ist Class, by the King of the Hellenes.

“Brigadier Miles rendered most distinguished service throughout the whole period of his career,” Mr Fraser said, “and his eafly death, which is a distinct loss to the forces, will be deeply regretted.” ’ Brigadier Miles’s widow is at present in Britain, and his four daughters in New Zealand are Mrs. G. HorneGeorge, Mrs. W. Brook-Dawson, and Miss Patricia Miles, who reside in Wellington, and Miss Monica Miles, in Auckland. His only son, Reginald, served in the Fleet Air Arm, and lost his life when H.M.S. Glorious was sunk.