Reginald Miles
New Zealand military leader and prisoner of war
Died when: 50 years 314 days (610 months)Star Sign: Sagittarius
Brigadier Reginald Miles, CBE, DSO & Bar, MC (10 December 1892 – 20 October 1943) was a professional soldier who served in the New Zealand Military Forces during the First and Second World Wars.
Miles was a New Zealand entrant into the Australian Royal Military College, Duntroon, from which he graduated in 1914.He served as an artillery officer in the First World War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his actions during the German spring offensive.
He remained in the military after the war, holding artillery commands for the next several years.When the Second World War broke out, Miles was the Quartermaster General of the New Zealand Military Forces.
In 1940, he was seconded to the 2nd New Zealand Division as its commander of artillery.He saw action during the Battle of Greece and later during Operation Crusader in North Africa.
Captured during fighting near Tobruk in late 1941, he was held in a prisoner of war camp in Italy but escaped in April 1943 with five other officers, including fellow New Zealander James Hargest.
By October, Miles had made his way to Spain where, overcome with depression, he committed suicide.
Related People
Military leader
New Zealand Military leader
Military leader