Person:Charles Mills (5)

(Research):Note: Dedicated-SA Hall New St Ashford Kent Note: Bio from Brandon Spencer(gt-nephew of CE Mills): Charles Edward Mills was born on the twenty second of May 1920 in England. At the age of five his family moved to Canada. Growing up in Oshawa, Charles Mills had a job at a Tannery. War had broken out in 1939 and it wasn't long before he was ready to do his duty. Charles Mills enlisted in Bowmanville, Ontario with the Midland regiment on 1 August 1940 and began his training.

It wasn't before August 1942 that Corporal Mills found his calling. An elite group of soldiers, a binational force for the best. Corporal Mills volunteered and within a week after arriving in Helena, Montana had obtained his parachutist wings. While in training, Charles Mills was promoted to Technical Sergeant.

After a long period of training, Sergeant Mills was finally thrust into combat in the Aleutians along with the First Special Service Force. He participated in the Campaign in August 1943. After the campaign, Sergeant Mills returned home for a short period of leave before he was shipped back to Vermont.

Next beginning in December 1943, the force was moved into the Naples-Foggia campaign. Sergeant Mills survived through until 18 February 1944.

On a patrol mission, Sergeant Mills and his fellow men were intercepted by a German patrol and a skirmish ensued. Shortly after, the patrol returned to base and Sergeant Mills was no-where to be found. He was at that point declared missing in action and presumed dead.

Not until ten years after the war were the remains of Sergeant Charles Edward Mills recovered. The family was notified and the remains were moved to the Netherlands where they were buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.

Charles Edward Mills was a great man and very good soldier. Amongst the most elite and brave men of the time. I am proud to carry on his name as my own, and very proud of who he was. Note: Information: 1. Service Number - C-65543 2. Age - 25 3. Regiment - Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C 4. Unit - First Special Service Force (a.k.a Devil's Brigade) 5. Medals - Italy Star, 1939-1945 Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal

1.   Doug Back corres..
2. ↑ Quality: 3
   Note: Info from SA Dedication Register Ashford.
   Living at 12a Millbank, Kingsnorth
3. ↑ Quality: 3
   Note: Dedication register - Ashford Salvation Army.
4. ↑ Title: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
   Quality: 3
   Note: Sergeant. C/65543
   1st Canadian Special Service Bn. R.C.I.C.
   Aged 25. Son of Charles Edward and Caroline Eva Mills of Oshawa, Ontario
5. ↑ Title: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
   Quality: 3
   Note: Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Gelderland, Netherlands.
   Grave Ref: XVI. F. 15.