Miller, Charles Michael
- Date of birth:
- June 18th, 1919 (Curragh/County Kildare, Ireland)
- Date of death:
- April 1982
- Service number:
- 72437
- Nationality:
- British (1801-present, Kingdom)
Biography
Charles Miller attended Cambridge University where he served in the University Air Squadron. He was mobilised in September 1939. After training he was posted to No. 9 Squadron in June 1940 until December when he was posted to No. 148 Squadron in the Middle East where he became active and was credited with destroying a S79 on the ground.
He returned to the UK in August 1941 and served with a transport squadron until July 1942. After his training to become a night fighter and was posted to No. 29 squadron with also a spell to No. 530 Squadron. He made his last opeational sortie in September 1944 with No. 85 Squadron. He was then posted away diagnosed sick with diabetes, being invalided out of the service in February 1945 with 4 destroyed enemy aircraft and 2 on the ground.
After the war he joined De La Rue the printers and playing cards manufacturers, subsequently becoming a sugar broker with Czarnikow Ltd. where he ultimately became Deputy Chairman. He died in 1982 from liver cancer.
Promotions:
August 23th, 1938: Pilot Officer
February 23th, 1940: Flying Officer
April 20th, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
June 1st, 1942: Temporary Squadron Leader
April 28th, 1943: Squadron Leader (war sub)
June 1943: Wing Commander
February 24th, 1945: Commission relinquished on account of medical unfitness for Air Force service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flying Officer
- Unit:
- No. 9 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- January 17th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flying Officer
- Unit:
- No. 148 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- February 11th, 1941
"This officer was pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack an enemy aerodrome. He carried out four accurate attacks despite intense opposition from light and heavy antiaircraft guns. On returning to his base, Flying Officer Miller offered to re-arm his aircraft and make another flight to the same target, although he knew that one aircraft had already been shot down by anti-aircraft guns. He again obtained good results, in spite of his seeing another aircraft shot down. He has continually shown keenness, determination and courage of the highest order."
Second DFC awarded as bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Wing Commander
- Unit:
- No. 29 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- July 27th, 1943
"Since Wing Cdr. Miller took over command of the squadron six enemy aircraft have been destroyed and two damaged. Wing Cdr. Miller completed a large number of night operational patrols during this period, many of them in adverse weather, and personally destroyed two enemy aircraft. He received the D.F.C in January, 1941, and was awarded a Bar in February, 1941."
Third DFC awarded as second bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Wing Commander
- Unit:
- No. 85 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- November 17th, 1944
"During a long and varied operational career this officer has consistently displayed exceptional leadership and skill in both offensive and defensive operations. Recently, in offensive operations, the squadron has destroyed at least 13 enemy aircraft and damaged others without loss to themselves. The successes achieved are mainly due to this officer's careful planning and personal .example."
Sources
- Photo 1: Joanna King nee Miller
- - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
- The London Gazette Issue 34544 published on the 23 August 1938
- The London Gazette Issue 34859 published on the 28 May 1940
- The London Gazette Issue 35045 published on the 17 January 1941
- The London Gazette Issue 35073 published on the 11 February 1941
- The London Gazette Issue 35151 published on the 2 May 1941
- The London Gazette Issue 35618 published on the 3 July 1942
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36059 published on the 15 June 1943
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36108 published on the 23 July 1943
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36799 published on the 14 November 1944
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36978 published on the 9 March 1945
- Flight Global - Archive
Photo
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