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PLY X1541
Corporal
Charles Terence (Dusty) Miller
Royal Marine
237 Squad
Service History
Charles joined the Royal Marine Corps in January 1936: 237 Squad, serving on Leander [RNZ Navy = double pay and exotic destinations!] before joining HMS Prince of Wales RM Detachment. In action against the Bismark then in the South China Sea.
Following the sinking of the Prince of Wales on 10th December 1941, Charles became a Plymouth Argyll Royal Marine in the battle for Singapore.
Japanese POW
After Singapore surrendered, Charles became a Japanese POW at Changi and Kranji in Singapore. He was then transported by rail to Thailand and was at Ban Pong, Chungkai, above Bankow and Takanun camps. He was then transported by ship to Japan after a notorious journey on the Asaka Maru [later the subject of a War Crimes trial in Singapore].
Post War
Charles was repatriated after the Japanese surrender, leaving the Corps in 1948 as a Sgt Instructor. He joined the Malaysian Police and served in many 'hot spots' during the Emergency, rising to the rank of Superintendent, served with Special Branch and was awarded the Colonial Police Medal.
Retiring in 1963 he thought to become a rubber planter but was recalled to reform the Royal Brunei Police. He remained in Brunei as Deputy Commissioner of Police till 1982 and was created a Dato by the Sultan.
He led an eventful and active retirement in Western Australia until suffering a severe stroke in 2000.
His final years were spent in a Birkdale nursing home until his death in March 2006.
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