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Ernest Millington MP has died aged 93

Ernest Millington, the last surviving MP to serve during the Second World War, has died at the age of 93, his daughter said on Sunday.

 

Mr Millington, who was also a bomber pilot during the conflict, was in the House of Commons for Winston Churchill's VE Day speech on May 8, 1945 after being elected the previous month in a by-election.

The MP for Chelmsford between 1945 and 1950 died at his home in France last night, his daughter, Caroline Millington, said.

Ms Millington, an artist and former journalist, said: "He had a chequered and fascinating career.

"He will be very much missed by his wife, Ivy, and all of his relations."

Mr Millington, a member of the left wing Common Wealth Party, was elected to Parliament in a by-election before the General Election in 1945, becoming the youngest MP in Parliament.

Despite his political career, Millington was most proud of his war years.

In his autobiography, which he wrote at the age of 89, he said: "In the unlikely event that at some time in the future I should find myself being interrogated by St Peter, he might well ask what, outside inter-personal relationships, had given me the most satisfaction and pleasure. "Without doubt I would answer, 'Flying Lancaster bombers'.

"If he went on to ask of what I was most proud, I would have no hesitation in replying, 'Commanding a squadron of Lancasters'.

"I had progressed from being a homeless, jobless outcast at the age of 16, chucked out of home and obliged to leave school.

"By 1944, I had transferred to the RAF, been promoted four times and was now commanding a heavy bomber squadron with the rank of Wing Commander."

After being voted out of Parliament in 1950, his subsequent career was in the field of education, teaching in London.

The Essex-born politician retired to the Dordogne in the early 1980s, and lived there with his second wife, Ivy. His first wife, Gwen, died in 1979.

He leaves his wife, four children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr Millington, who was also a bomber pilot during the conflict, was in the House of Commons for Winston Churchill's VE Day speech on May 8, 1945 after being elected the previous month in a by-election.

Ms Millington, an artist and former journalist, said: "He had a chequered and fascinating career.

"He will be very much missed by his wife, Ivy, and all of his relations."

Mr Millington, a member of the left wing Common Wealth Party, was elected to Parliament in a by-election before the General Election in 1945, becoming the youngest MP in Parliament.

Despite his political career, Millington was most proud of his war years.

In his autobiography, which he wrote at the age of 89, he said: "In the unlikely event that at some time in the future I should find myself being interrogated by St Peter, he might well ask what, outside inter-personal relationships, had given me the most satisfaction and pleasure. "Without doubt I would answer, 'Flying Lancaster bombers'.

"If he went on to ask of what I was most proud, I would have no hesitation in replying, 'Commanding a squadron of Lancasters'.

"I had progressed from being a homeless, jobless outcast at the age of 16, chucked out of home and obliged to leave school.

"By 1944, I had transferred to the RAF, been promoted four times and was now commanding a heavy bomber squadron with the rank of Wing Commander."

After being voted out of Parliament in 1950, his subsequent career was in the field of education, teaching in London.

The Essex-born politician retired to the Dordogne in the early 1980s, and lived there with his second wife, Ivy. His first wife, Gwen, died in 1979.

He leaves his wife, four children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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