One of the last Milne Bay veterans passes away

ONE of the last remaining Toowoomba members of the 25th Battalion has passed away peacefully.

Bert Miles, World War 2 veteran, has passed away peacefully. Picture: Nev Madsen

ONE of the last remaining Toowoomba members of the 25th Battalion will be buried today.

Bertie Joseph Miles, who served the region and Australia at the Battle of Milne Bay in 1942, died in his sleep on January 25. He was 96.

Known affectionately as Bert to his friends and loved ones, Mr Miles was a mortarman during the key battle in the Pacific campaign against the Japanese.

Milne Bay veteran remembered

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Milne Bay Historical Museum president Marian Jones described him as lovely man who could hold a conversation right to the end.

"He was a gentleman and he had a great sense of humour," she said.

"He always expected a kiss and a hug when you went to greet him."

While Mr Miles and other surviving members of the 25th Battalion were celebrated in Toowoomba, he said the Battle of Milne Bay didn't receive the recognition it deserved.

"It (the battle of Milne Bay) was actually the first land battle fought by Australian troops for Australia," Mr Miles said last year.

"Before that our troops fought battles for other countries, even the Kokoda Track was fought for New Guinea.

"It was the most important battle of the war for Australia because it stopped the Japanese but it doesn't get the recognition."

Copy of old photo of Bert Miles , Milne Bay battle veteran. Picture: Contributed

In his later years he would regularly attend Anzac Day commemorations, where he praised the efforts of the new generation for keeping the spirit of the Anzacs alive.

"I feel, looking at those young people, that our future is in very safe hands," he said at Anzac Day last year.

His death means just one veteran from the Battle of Milne Bay, Richard McKenna, remains.

Mr Miles is survived by daughters Susanne and June, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His funeral will be held today at St James Anglican Church on Mort St from 11am.

Originally published as One of the last Milne Bay veterans passes away