| Rank | Major |
| Unit # | British 8th Army |
British 8th Army, Major. From Thamesville, ON. Son of John W. and Frances Millen; brother of Edwin Thomas (KIA) WTM.
Enlisting in Oshawa, ON. he took an officers training course and went overseas in May of 1941 attached to the Canadian Tank Regt. While in England later became attached with the British 8thArmy and was promoted to the rank of Captain. He served with the 8th British army during “Operation Husky”, the invasion of Sicily were he was promoted to the rank of Major. On 19/05/43 “Major Millen was seriously wounded while engaged in the Italian campaign and since had been confined to Hospital in Italy and later in England”.
Enlisting in Oshawa, ON. he took an officers training course and went overseas in May of 1941 attached to a tank regiment. His brother Edwin Thomas “Ted” was KIA 19/08/42 at Dieppe, France.
He later became attached with the British 8th Army and promoted to the rank of Captain. He served with the 8th British army during “Operation Husky”, the invasion of Sicily were he was promoted to the rank of Major. Following the campaign in Sicily he went to Italy and it was there in June Major Harry Millen was wounded 19/05/1944. CDN 20/06/44.
Public Record
Harry was reported in the Army Service by the Thamesville Herald on July 21st, 1941.
TH24/04/41: Based at Camp Borden, Ranked LT: “Visited over the weekend with his parents Mr. and Mrs. John Millen.”
TH25/03/43: “Of the 11th Army Tank Battalion Ontario Regiment Overseas has been promoted to the rank of Captain.”
TH15/06/44: “Major Harry Millen Wounded in Italy” article. “Major Harry Millen was wounded on May 19th and confined to a base hospital in Italy. A letter from a comrade stated that Major Millen had sustained severe head injuries and a letter which came a few days ago from himself stated that he was progressing favorably.
Major Millen enlisted at Oshawa and took the Officer’s training course and went overseas in May 1941 with the 11th Canadian Armored Tank Regiment which was later attached to the British 8th Army under General Montgomery of whom he writes in glowing terms. While in England he was promoted to the rank of Captain and later during the Sicilian campaign in which he was actively engaged, he was promoted to the rank of Major. He was through all the Italian campaign as well and states that he wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Those who know him well will know his disappointment at not being present during the triumphal entry into Rome. Major Millen went to Sicily with his regiment on May 1st, 1943.
Major Millen’s brother, Pte. Ted Millen went overseas in January of 1941 and died fighting for his country at Dieppe.
Wartime Mailing Address, TH29/07/43:
MILLEN, H.S. Capt.
Sqd 11th Army Tank Bat.
TH27/07/44: Ranked Major: “Major Harry Millen has Returned Home” article. “A large number of citizens assembled at the CNR station Monday evening to meet the 7:05 train from the east which brought Major Harry Millen back to his hometown after three years’ service overseas with His Majesty’s forces. The station platform was decorated with Union Jacks and as the train came to a stop cheers of welcome broke from the crowd of anxious and excited friends as a greeting to a friend and hero who had proved his worth against the enemy. Reeve C.V. Skinner headed the civic committee of welcome and assisted the wounded soldier to the platform and into the arms of his parents. He was then assisted to a waiting car and conveyed to his parents’ residence where he will remain until he has recovered from the injuries received on the field of battle.
Major Millen was born in Thamesville, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Millen and is in his thirtieth year. He received his education in the local schools, high school at St. Thomas, Chatham Business College and Normal School at London.
In 1937, Major Millen went to Oshawa where he organized a Business College, which he successfully conducted until his enlistment in the present war. He was an officer in the Ontario Tank (Reserve) and in February 1941 he enlisted for active service in the Ontario Tank. He trained at Camp Borden and in June 1941, went overseas as a Lieutenant in the 11th Canadian Armored Tank Division. While in England, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and was later attached to the 8th Army under General Montgomery and was engaged in battles in Sicily and Italy. While in Sicily he was promoted to the rank of Major. He was wounded on the beaches at Ortona, Italy, on May 19th being struck on the head by a sniper’s bullet and since confined to hospitals in Italy and England. The bullet is thought to have hit a nerve centre as both legs and left arm were paralyzed. He arrived in Canada via the ‘Lady Nelson’ ten days ago and is making good progress towards recovery, and is now able to walk with the assistance of crutches.”
Wartime Mailing Address, TH27/07/44:
MILLEN, H.S. Major
No. Neurological Hospital
England C.A.O.S.
The CDN 24/07/44(P) reported that Major Millen had arrived in Halifax NS. aboard the Hospital Ship “Lady Nelson” along with 500 injured Canadians “Feeling fine.” , and he expect to arrive in Chatham within a week.
The Thamesville Herald on January 3rd, 1946 reported: “Major Harry Millen, of Toronto, spent the Christmas holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Millen.”
RI??/??/44(xxxix): Ranked Major: Major H.F. Millen of Thamesville recently returned from Italy (… fragment)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | TH, WTM,, TH-CE,, TH-BC, CDN(2 |
| Supplemental Information | Son of John W. and Frances Mllen; husband of Mary Evangeline Millen, of Chatham, Ontario, brother of Edwin Thomas. WTM. |
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