The Airmen's Stories - P/O R F G Miller

Roger Freeman Garland Miller of Radford Semele, Warwickshire was born in mid-1920, the son of Thomas Charles Miller (1883-1947) and Freida Esther Miller (nee Freeman 1895-1971).

He joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his initial training on 12th June 1939.

He completed his training and arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 5th April 1940. After converting to Spitfires he joined 604 Squadron at Northolt on 8th May 1940.

He moved to 600 Squadron at Manston on 11th May and to 609 Squadron at Northolt on 11th June.

Miller probably destroyed a Me110 and damaged a Do17 on 13th July, he damaged a Me110 on 12th August, destroyed a Ju87 and probably destroyed another on 13th August, probably destroyed a Do17 on 24th September and shared a He111 and damaged a Ju88 on the 25th.

Miller was killed on 27th September 1940 when he collided with a Me110 over Chesilbourne, near Kingscombe. His Spitfire, X4107, exploded and the main wreckage fell east of Doles Ash, north of Dorchester.

Miller was 20 years old.

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His brother, P/O JG Miller, a pilot serving with 149 Squadron, was killed in a landing accident on 12th August 1940 aged 23.

His Wellington IC P9244 collided with a radio mast on its approach to Mildenhall following a raid on Gelsenkirchen. Also lost were:

P/O J Body
P/O RE Houseman
Sgt. JJ Scott
Sgt. RJ Cocks
Sgt. JH Swift.

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Both brothers are buried in St. Nicholas churchyard, Radford Semele, Warwickshire.