Operation: Scramble on an "X" raid

Date: 8th March 1943 (Monday)

Unit No: 257 (Burma) Squadron, Fighter Command

Type: Typhoon IB

Serial: EJ916

Code: FM:M

Base: RAF Warmwell, Dorset

Location: At base RAF Warmwell

Pilot: Flt Lt. Reginald Sydney 'Dusty' Miller 87460 RAFVR Age 22. KiA

Note: "X" was the designation for an unidentified aircraft. It would have been designed "H" if confirmed as hostile.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Flt Lt. Miller was scrambled at 17:05 hrs and was taking off across wind at the same time a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Master was taking off into the wind. He tried to avoid the Master by climbing over it, but stalled and dropped a wing but crashed on the aerodrome and was seriously injured. His injuries proved to be fatal and he died an hour later.

The usual scramble signal, a two star red cartridge, was fired from the dispersal hut but was not seen by the pilot of the Master.

Flt Lt. 'Dusty' Miller had been with the squadron since the 8th September 1941. He took an active part in all squadron activities and had done good work as squadron Gunnery officer. Flt Lt. 'Dusty' Miller had become a first rate Flight Commander, an efficient leader oif men, and apart from a few weeks when he was posted to 535 Sqn, he had been with 257 Sqn for sixteen months.

He was always keen to meet the 'Hun', but was never in air combat during his stay with the unit.

Burial details:

Flt Lt. Reginald Sydney 'Dusty' Miller. Childswickham Churchyard (St. Mary). Grave North of Church. Son of Frederick Leonard and Daisy Gertrude Miller, of Tremorfa, Glamorgan.

966013 LAC Miller was appointed to a commission and promoted to Plt Off. on the 18th November 1940. he was promoted to Fg Off. on the 18th November 1941 and to Flt Lt. on the 18th November 1942

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Annabelle Smith - niece of the pilot who contacted us in June 2016. Urgently seeking information for her elderly father, the brother of Flt Lt. Miller. (Jun 2016). Reviewed and updated by Aircrew Remembered (Jan 2024).

Other sources as quoted below:

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