Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

The Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

August 30th, 1945

Recommendation:
On the night of 13 January 1945, Private Ernest Morris Miller and another soldier of the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders were standing guard in their platoon location in the Nijmegen area. At approximately 2350 hours Private Ernest Morris Miller saw some figures crossing the dyke about 100 yards to his front. Knowing that none of our patrols were out he, as senior private, sent his companion back to warn the outpost, remaining himself to observe.
Private Miller allowed the eight dark figures to approach within sixty feet. At this point he hear low remarks made in German. He appreciated that he must put up a show of strength until reinforced. Being in a partly destroyed building he was allowed a certain freedom of movement, so, immediately after opening fire with a Sten gun, he rushed, showing utter contempt to the returned fire, to a further point of vantage to engage the enemy with the Light Machine Gun. Moving to a third point Private Miller tossed a 36 grenade to further mislead the enemy. At this moment reinforcements arrived.
There followed a thirty minute fight, during which time, Private Miller was in the forefront calmly pointing out the enemy to his companions and engaging them with fire. In the morning large patches of blood were seen about fifty feet in front of the position Private Miller occupied. A machine gun 42, two Bazookas, four stick grenades, and a large amount of small ammunition were abandoned by the enemy.
Private Ernest Morris Miller's coolness, fortitude, and initiative were of the highest order. This soldier has consistently displayed courage in battle and is a source of real inspiration to all about him.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 30 August, 1945.