Ernest Millington
| Ernest Rogers Millington DFC | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Chelmsford |
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In office April 1945 – 1950 |
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| Preceded by | John Macnamara |
| Succeeded by | Sir Hubert Ashton |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
15 February 1916 Ilford, England |
| Died | 9 May 2009 (aged 93) France |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party |
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| Spouse(s) |
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| Alma mater |
College of St Mark and St John Birkbeck, University of London |
| Occupation | Wing Commander, RAF Bomber Command |
| Profession | Teacher |
Ernest Rogers Millington, DFC (15 February 1916 – 9 May 2009) was a British Common Wealth and later Labour Member of Parliament (MP).
Millington was educated at Chigwell, the College of St Mark and St John, Chelsea, and Birkbeck College, London. He served with the RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War, where he rose to the rank of wing commander and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945.
He was elected as MP for Chelmsford at a by-election in April 1945, for the short-lived Common Wealth Party. The vacancy was created by the death of the previous Conservative member, Colonel John Macnamara, killed on active service in Italy. Whereas the Conservative Liberal and Labour parties had agreed an electoral truce, the Common Wealth Party refused to accept this. The local CW Party had six members and soon raised £200 for the electoial campaign. After a brief discussion the local Communist Party decided not to support him. Nevertheless, he received the support of much of the labour movements as he advocated a distinctly socialist programme.
Millington wore his DFC ribbon on his uniform when attending the House of Commons, as was customary at the time. Many years later he fondly recalled being reprimanded by a Conservative MP who bemoaned the fact that Millington's ribbon was being incorrectly worn. Millington told the BBC, "I was approached by a Tory MP dressed in civilian clothes and with a hand in his trouser pocket. 'Your DFC ribbon is worn too wide'. He was, I think, not expecting my reaction. 'If you are talking to me as an RAF officer: stand to attention; take your hand out of your trouser pocket and address a senior officer as Sir. If you are talking to me as a fellow Member of Parliament, mind your business and bugger off.'"
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