SMITH, Miller
Rank:
Sergeant (Temporary Company Sergeant Major)
Unit / Base:
2 Commando
Prior Police Service:
Southport Borough Police
Regiment/Corps:
Coldstream Guards
Service:
Army
Number:
2657063
Born:
Tuesday, November 2, 1915
Birthplace:
Middlesborough
Died :
Friday, October 23, 1942
Executed
Age:
26
Cemetery/Memorial:
Operations:
Sergeant Miller Smith, a former Police Officer, was one of seven men from No.2 Commando captured after Operation Musketoon and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp under Hitler's Commando Execution Order. Son of James Miller Smith and Jane Smith, of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire.
Sources
CWGC.
CWGC.
Commando Association newsletter 96.
Killing of British POWs Germany after capture in Norway operation Musketoon / National Archives file WO311/382.
Nazi persecution claim: [name withheld - in closed extracts] for Mr Miller Smith / Foreign Office file FO950/4138.
Killing of British POWs Germany after capture in Norway operation Musketoon / National Archives file WO311/382.
Nazi persecution claim: [name withheld - in closed extracts] for Mr Miller Smith / Foreign Office file FO950/4138.
Report on the Nuremberg trials in the Birmingham Gazette 10 January 1946.
Notes
- Sgt Miller Smith may have held the temporary rank of CSM, his war substantive rank being Sergeant. A photo taken at Colditz shows CSM insignia.
- There is a plaque in his name at Merseyside Police Station, Albert Road, Southport, Sefton.
- There is a photo of Sgt Smith in the main gallery, and one in the CVA Memorials and Plaques Album of the Memorial Plaque at Sachsenhausen to these and other men who were executed there.
Primary Roll of Honour:
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
Additional content:
Archive pages :
A Special Memorial Service for Sgt. Miller Smith
Units:
Extract from Commando Association newsletter 96 issued March 1993
Special Commando Memorial Service
On 25th October last, a special Memorial Service and Parade was held in honour of Commando Sergeant Miller Smith (2 Cdo), a Southport ex-policeman, who, participating on "Operation Musketoon" the raid on Glomfjord Power Station, Norway, on 20th September, 1942, was captured with eight others trying to escape via Sweden. Subsequently taken to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and executed by the SS under Hitler's infamous Reprisal Order.
On 25th October last, a special Memorial Service and Parade was held in honour of Commando Sergeant Miller Smith (2 Cdo), a Southport ex-policeman, who, participating on "Operation Musketoon" the raid on Glomfjord Power Station, Norway, on 20th September, 1942, was captured with eight others trying to escape via Sweden. Subsequently taken to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and executed by the SS under Hitler's infamous Reprisal Order.
ln spite of atrocious weather, there was a magnificent turnout of veterans to honour him. The service was held in the South Chapel Memorial, the Mayor and Mayoress being in attendance. The Last Post was rendered beautifully by a Guardsman Bugler, and a wreath on behalf of the Commandos was laid ty Colonel Donald Long, MC., TD., DL. (9 Cdo). The march past was led by the Coldstream Guards (Sgt. Smith's parent regiment), under the command of a Guards Officer and NCO, followed by the Guards Association with Standard.
Following on was our large contingent of Commandos of some 50 in number from Bolton and Warrington with the Warrington Commando Standard, under the able guidance of Geoff Wilkes and George Rees, plus local Commandos, including Geoff Riley (5 Cdo) and Ernie Heaton (45 RM Cdo.)
Several other Associations with Standards also paraded. After the march past, a reception was held for all visitors who attended.
Read more about the raid [Operation Musketoon].
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