Militaria Auction Saturday, 30 November 2024 - 11:00 AM start

Brigadier R Miles Partial Medal Group - Highest Ranking NZ Officer Killed in WWII

Lot Details

Its not an overstatement to say that Reginald Miles was one of the most decorated and interesting soldiers to have served New Zealand. Miles's service spanned over 30 years and included: two world wars, heroism, murder, alleged suicide, intrigue and an ever-increasing number of unanswered questions. He was also the most senior serviceman to successfully escape from enemy capture during second world war. Born and raised in Christchurch, Miles was accepted as an officer Cadet at the military academy in Duntroon, Australia. This was a very prestigious appointment at the time. Brigadier Miles enlisted in the NZEF at the outbreak of WW1 and was posted to the Canterbury Infantry Battalion. Over the course of Numerous theatres, Miles served with absolute distinction. Mentioned in several dispatches throughout the war, he was awarded the MC in 1916 for performing with distinction when commanding the 15 Howitzer Battery while under heavy fire at the Somme. He was also recommended for the VC in 1918 and was eventually awarded the DSO for his heroic exploits. His citation for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He fought his battery until the enemy were within 500 yards, and his ammunition exhausted, at the same time rallying infantry stragglers and manning a fire trench, then made a reconnaissance into a wood sending back valuable information. He was finally wounded by rifle fire at close range.” Just prior to the end of WW1 in November of 1918, Miles was awarded the MID. During the first world war he had distinguished himself as natural leader and a skillful artilleryman. After the war, Miles was appointed as the commander of the Wellington City defenses. In 1922 he served as the head of the prince of Wales bodyguard during his NZ tour. Throughout the interwar period, Miles held various military posts which included a stint in England. Rising quickly through the ranks, he ended up Quartermaster General for the NZ Army by 1939. With the outbreak of WW2 and New Zealand entering the fray, Miles was once again promoted. This time he attained the rank of Brigadier and was placed in charge of the Royal NZ Artillery. Serving first in Greece where he played a vital role in the withdrawal of NZ troops, Miles was awarded the Greek cross for valour and was also awarded an MID. He was then posted to North Africa where he served with distinction during "Operation Crusader". It was at this time, having been eventually being overrun, that Miles was wounded and taken prisoner. Due to the daring heroic nature of his time as a POW, his story still holds much fascination to this day. Miles was taken prisoner at the same time as Brigadier James Hargreaves, they were both housed in an old Italian castle along with other captured senior officers. Operating as a camp gardener, he used the position to help in his many escape attempts. Miles eventually succeeded by tunnelling out with James Hargreaves. Owing to his daring escape, Miles was awarded the bar for his DSO. The citation reads: "Escape from Camp 12, P.M. 3200, Italy (General's Camp). This camp was extremely well guarded and in consequence it was decided that the only possible method of escape would be by way of a tunnel. On the 18th September, 1942, tunnelling began. All officers and other ranks worked, with the exception of one officer who was awaiting repatriation. The entrance to the tunnel was through a sealed up chapel which all soil was placed. The work, which consisted of a 3 foot by 3 foot tunnel, 40 feet long with a 10 foot shaft at the entrance and a 7 foot shaft at the exit, was completed by the end of February 1943. At 2100 hours on the 29th March, 1943, Brigadiers Miles and Hargest, in company with four other officers, escaped through the tunnel. The four other officers were subsequently recaptured. Brigadiers Miles and Hargest dressed as workmen and having walked to Florence station, caught a train to Milan where they went to the North station. They caught a train to Como and walked towards Chiasso. 2 kilometres from Chiasso they left the main road and proceeded across country until they reached a knoll south of Chiasso where the frontier lay along the opposite slope of a valley below them. The frontier consisted of heavy cyclone netting 12 foot high interlaced with brambles and with small bells near the top. They cut the wire with pliers at ground level without making much noise and came on to Swiss territory at 220 hours on the 30th March, 1943. They gave themselves up to the police at Mendrisio and were released in Berne on the 2nd April, 1943." Following the escape, Miles split from Hargest and made his way across Switzerland. Eventually ending up in Spain, it was here that he was found dead by apparent suicide. The medals themselves on offer are a mixture of period original medals and his actual awarded named medals. The group offered up for auction Original Period DSO (With a copy bar ) Unnamed as issued Original Period MC Unnamed as issued Original Period Trio (Not named to Miles) Mid Oak leaves 39-45 star Unnamed as issued Africa star Unnamed as issued 39-45 War Medal Unnamed as issued NZWSM Unnamed as issued LESM (Named to Brig Miles) 35 Jubilee medal Unnamed as issued 36 coronation medal Unnamed as issued Greek Valour Cross Unnamed as issued Memorial cross (Named to Brig Miles) Intriguingly, the group was meant to have been donated to Waiouru war museum, however the medal group they have is not the original and is an official replacement group. The group offered for sale here contains two original medals from Brigadier Miles Medal group. Of the 5 named medals awarded to Brig Miles, this group carries two. These two medals represent the entirety of his interwar and Second war service.