CO of 2 KSLI (King's Shropshire Light Infantry)

I'm looking for info on Lt-Col Cecil George Millett OBE. He was commander of 2 Battalion KSLI when killed on 20 December 1944, aged 41.

Does anyone have any information on him? Specifically, what were the circumstances of his death? And how long had he been CO of 2 KSLI (did he command them during the battles for Overloon and Venray)?

If anyone has the unit history I'd appreciate if they could look this up.

Thanks in advance,

Shaun

 

Many thanks, Owen. I have Monty's Ironsides, but didn't see Millett's name in the index - sorry!

Delaforce also has his name spelled wrong - it's Millett according to CWGC.

Do you have any info on 4 KSLI (11 Armoured Division)? I'm trying to pinpoint where Sergeant Eardley won his VC. So far the only info I have is "attack from Schaartven, 1 mile east of Overloon". This is also from one of Delaforce's books, "The Black Bull". On google maps Schaartven appears to be a road and a lake.

 

Here is an entry from the 4th KSLI regimental history on Sgt Eardley.

 

Thanks again. I think it's going to be difficult to pinpoint exactly where this action took place. I visited Overloon a couple of weeks ago - going back again next month. I'll see what I can find.

Cheers,

Shaun

 

I have the Thornburn's volume that has an appendix and map on Eardley's VC. I will post it on my return from enjoying an IPA on the back deck. There appears to be some controversy on the location.

 

Here are four pages from Thorburn on Eardley.

 

Very interesting - thanks. The only other decent evidence I've found pinpointing the location is on the KSLI museum website:

"His action was witnessed by Lieut. Cartwright, his Platoon commander, who provided the first written account of the incident in support of a claim for an award to Eardley. He wrote :

I am Pl[atoon] Com[mande]r of No. 9 Pl. On 16th [sc. 15th] October 1944 the Bn. was ordered to clear a wooded area east of Overloon as far as the Nijmegen-Venlo rly [railway]. We came against strong opposition about 500 yds. west of the rly and I was ordered to clear two orchards and some houses which possessed MG [machine gun] posts, the enemy being mainly paratps [paratroops] were determined and fighting well."

 

I suspect he'll be reasonably well documented in the battalions war diary.

WO 171/1325 2 King's Shropshire Light Infantry 1944 Jan.- Dec.

And here is 4 KSLI's war diary ref:

WO 171/1326 4 King's Shropshire Light Infantry 1944 Jan.- Dec.

I offer forum members a file copying service at the National Archives so give me a shout if you want a copy, I charge 10p per page.

Cheers
Andy

 

I was in Smakt last weekend, Shaun. This is apparently where it happened. The fence in the field is where the hedge was which Eardley crawled along to knock out the 3rd MG post. The distance from the railway line is as described above.

 

Hi Shaun,
I came across this thread while I was looking for information about a distant ancestor (Sgt William Leslie Peever) of mine who died in the same incident. I have found the text of a family letter which gives more information about the incident:

William Leslie Peever was a sergeant in The Kings Shropshire Light Regiment - No 4033580. He was part of the D Day landing and died on 20 Dec 1944 at Venray, Holland. Grave ref: ll. B. 6. Venray Cemetry, Holland.

Letter about William Leslie Peever's Death by another soldier. 20/12/1944

"Again I find time to complete a page of my diary. The day is dark and cold. A heavy mist lies low and everything seems - unspiritual - dead. During lunch hour a runner comes back from the line- the bearer of sad news. During the night a screaming noise had been heard off the forward patrols. This morning the Commanding Officer, Sgt. Leslie Peever, and three other men went to investigate. They found a dead German lying face downwards on the ground. Sgt. Leslie Peever was ordered by the Commanding Officer to take the machine-gun off the dead man. One must obey orders Unfortunately because it was really a foolish order. The dead man was heavily mined and the machine gun was the trap. As Leslie picked up the gun so he set off the mines. The fatal result was as follows:- The Commanding Officer, Leslie and G Watkin were instantaneously killed. 3 others not far distant were seriously wounded. A sad day for the battalion. Visibility decreases as the night falls. Enemy guns can be heard moving forwards. It is quiet - like the lull before the storm. Farther south the Germans have launched a full scale attack and they are making Progress. Vigility of forward troops has increased. They are expecting a counter attack on this sector. And so I come to the end of this day."



The letter was written to Sergeant William Leslie Peever's Wife (who was the auntie of the person posting the information).

All the best,

Guy

 

Hello Guy,
My name is Piet Snellen and I live in The Netherlands. I am the secretary of ' Stichting Adoptiegraven CWGC Venray War Cemetery", a foundation for the adoption of the Venray war graves. William's grave is also adopted so you can be sure he is not forgotten. If you are interested to contact this adopter, please send an e-mail to me on: info(at)adoptiegraven-venray.nl
Hope to hear from you.
Best wishes
Piet Snellen

 

In this interview (audio only) with 2nd KSLI soldier Victor John Sayer on the Imperial War Museum website he talks about the death of Millett and his companions.

I know this thread is old, but I'm curious if you have found anything else about the circumstances. I have adopted the war grave of Charles Edward Gwatkin who like Millett died in this incident. Maybe we can exchange some info via DM.