Date of birth:

March 31st, 1914 (Eureka/Waikato, New Zealand)

Date of death:

July 5th, 2009 (Blenheim/Marlborough, New Zealand)

Service number:

43041

Nationality:

New Zealander (1907-1947, Dominion UK)

After finishing his education Hayden Miller became a school teacher. He was granted an RAF short-service commission in 1939 and sailed on the RMS Rangitaiki on 27 July 1939, arriving in Britain three days before the outbreak of war.
After his pilot training he was first posted to No. 77 Squadron in Yorkshire at the height of the Battle of Britain in 1940.
On December 15th, 1940 he made a crash landing when the Whitley he was flying hit high ground after returing from a bombing mission. Of the five crew members all but one survived the impact.
In the second part of the war he was detailed with instructional duties including flying instruction during the 1,000 bomber raids on Germany.
He also lead the RNZAF Contingent of the 8th June 1946 Victory March in London. He rejoined the reserve on 17th August 1950 until 31st March 1969 when he retired.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 77 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

June 6th, 1941

"This officer has completed numerous operational missions. Throughout these flights he has displayed great determination and a complete disregard of enemy opposition. He has attacked many objectives in enemy and enemy occupied territory with marked success. On one occasion, he completed an operation over Turin in almost impossible weather conditions. His courage and skill have inspired confidence in every crew of which he has acted as captain."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Awarded on:

June 11th, 1942

Citation:
"For meritorious service with 22 OTU RAF as a Flt Lt. Participated in the first ‘1000’ bomber raids on 30/31 May and 1/2 June 1942."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1943

Citation:
"For meritorious service with 22 OTU, 91 Group RAF (Wellington), as an Actg Sqn Ldr."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

January 14th, 1944

Citation:
"For meritorious service with HQ 91 Group RAF, as a Sqn Ldr."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

June 8th, 1944

Citation:
"This officer has been employed as Group flying instructor at this unit since November, 1943. Previously, as a flying instructor and flight commander he did outstanding work in No 22 OTU. His new duties, which he has performed with conspicuous success, entail visiting all Operational Training Units, where he examines and tests flying instructors and air crews under training in their various duties, both in the air, by day and night, and on the ground, paying particular attention to detail. To this work, Squadron Leader Miller has brought the utmost tact, patience and efficiency. He has completed a total of 680 hours flying on OTU instructional duties."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 14th, 1945

Citation:
"For meritorious service with 24 OTU RAF"

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

24 Operational Training Unit. RNZAF

Awarded on:

1946

Citation:
"Wing Commander Miller has been employed as the Chief Instructor at this unit for nearly a year. During this time the Training Wing has been completely re-organised and has changed its record within [93] Group from being the Station which had sustained the greatest number of flying accidents per hour flown, to the Station with the fewest number of accidents per hour flown. For the first three months of the year no less than 6,800 hours per accident were flown which was in itself a very notable achievement. In addition, during one month the Unit achieved top place in every subject in the Group Order of Merit. This outstanding improvement has been largely the result of Wing Commander Miller’s self-sacrificing efforts and devotion to duty. He has always been available at all hours of the day and night and his efficiency and unstinting application to his work have won the confidence and respect of all the personnel on the Wing and on the Station."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Nicola Miller Clendon
• - The London Gazette Issue 35183 published on the 6 June 1941
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35586 published on the 5 June 1942
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35841 published on the 29 December 1942
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36329 published on the 11 January 1944
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36544 published on the 2 June 1944
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37407 published on the 28 December 1945
  - aircraft accidents in Yorkshire
  - Stuff.co.nz
  - Royal New Zealand Airforce - Air Force News, Issue 106, August 2009