Early Career
Born on 9 January 1899 Jefferis was educated at Tonbridge School and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. From Woolwich he was commissioned into the Royal Engineers on 6 June 1918 and after passing through the School of Military Engineering at Chatham, he was posted to the First Field Squadron RE in the Rhine Army.
In 1920 he went to India and served with the Queen's Own Madras Sappers and Miners in the Third Field Troop at Sialkot. In 1922 he went into the Works Services in India as garrison engineer at Kohat and then at Khaisora which is today in Pakistan. He saw active service in the Waziristan Campaign where his main responsibility was the construction of roads. On 12 June 1923 he was awarded the Military Cross, the citation read:
The War Office, 12th June, 1923.His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the undermentioned rewards for distinguished service in the Field with the Razmak Force: —
Awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
Maj. Leslie Charles Bertram Deed, R.E.
Awarded the Military Cross.
Lt. Millis Rowland Jefferis, R.E.
For gallantry and devotion to duty whilst reconnoitring ahead of the road construction parties on the Isha-Razmak road between May and December, 1922, and in the supervision of the work. The satisfactory progress of the road was due in great measure to their efforts and disregard of danger.He then returned to Chatham and went to Cambridge University.
In 1925 he returned to India and was placed on special duty at Kabul in the foreign and political department. In 1926 he returned to Nowshera as garrison engineer and spent several years in Works Services at Peshawar where he made full use of this engineering genius designing bridges. Also in 1925, he married Ruth Caryolyne, daughter of G. E. Wakefield. They had three sons, two of whom went on to serve in the Royal Engineers. On 1 June 1929, Jefferis was promoted to captain.
In 1934 he was posted to the Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners at Kirkee as a company commander in the training battalion. He returned to England in 1936 and joined the Twenty-third Field Company at Aldershot. Moving to the First Field Squadron, he stayed at Aldershot while the unit was being mechanized. While at Aldershot, Jefferis successfully raced horses and played squash competitively. He was promoted major on 6 June 1938, and on 4 April 1939 he was appointed a General Staff Officer, Grade 2.
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