BRIGADIER MILES DEAD

Evening Star, Issue 25005, 26 October 1943, Page 2

BRIGADIER MILES DEAD

STORY OF ESCAPE RECALLED HAD MADE HIS WAY TO SPAIN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 25.. " News has been received of the death in Spain of Brigadier Reginald Miles," said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, to-night. " Brigadier Miles was captured while serving with the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East, and was held in Italy as a war prisoner. Together with Brigadier Hargest he subsequently escaped to . Switzerland, where he had been living for some time, but information suggests that he later made his way from Switzerland in disguise to Spain, where he died. " Brigadier Miles rendered distinguished service throughout his career," said Mr Eraser, " and his early 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. • ThorneGeorge, Mrs W. Brook-Dawson, and Miss'Patricia Miles, all of Wellington, and Miss Menzies Miles, of Auckland. His only son, Mr Reginald Miles, who served in the Fleet Air Arm, lost his life when the Glorious was sunk. CAREER IN TWO WARS. Brigadier R. Miles, D.S.O. and bar, M.C., C.8.E., was one of the bestknown and ablest members of the Royal New Zealand Artillery. He was serving in Libya as chief artillery officer of the New Zealand. Division when he was captured, together with Brigadier Hargest, on November 27, 1941. The two officers were taken to Italy by sub-

marine, where they were interned in a. prison camp at Sulmona, in Southern Ttaly Their escape- to Switzerland was reported on April 1 of this year. Their exploit in escaping from the Italians earned for Brigadiers Miles and Hargest inclusion in the latest lists of awards to New Zealand soldiers, which was published a little over a week ago. Each was created a Commander of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire and awarded a bar to the D. 5.0., "in appreciation of the splendid achievement of escaping from enemy hands." Brigadier Miles, who was 51 years old, left New Zealand' with the Second Echelon, which was diverted to England. He was married in London a few months later.

When the Great War of 1914-18 broke out Brigadier Miles was attending the Royal Military College of Australia at Duntroon, having been one of the first party of New Zealand cadets to enter the college, and he graduated specially in 1914 to serve with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He passed out top of the college, and received the first graduation certificate issued. He left New Zealand with the 4th Howitzer Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery, in 1914, and served on Gallipoli.

On the subsequent reorganisation Brigadier Miles was appointed to command the loth Howitzer Battery, with which he served in France until the winter of 1917, being awarded the Military Cross on the Somme in 1916. He then held various staff appointments, and later commanded the 6th Howitzer Battery, winning the Distinguished Service Order during the German advance 011 the Lys in April, 1918. Ho was wounded, but returned to France some months before tho war ended, and became brigade major of the New Zealand Divisional Artillery.

In 1924-25 he attended the Staff College, Camberley, and on his return to New Zealand served in the Northern Military District, then the Northern Command, first as officer commanding tho Royal New Zealand Artillery • and later as general staff officer. Subsequently lie went to Wellington, and at the outbreak of war was general stall officer (staff duties) and a member of the Army Board.