EDGAR WALTER STEPHEN MILES
Edgar Walter Stephen Miles was born in 1892 in Rodborough, the son of William Miles, a General Labourer and his wife Elizabeth Alice (Browning). He was baptised in St Lawrence's Church, Stroud with his younger brother, Wilfred, on 10 September 1897. At that time, the family were living in Lower Leazes, Stroud.
By 1911, the family had moved to Bridgeside in Cainscross and Edgar was a wood turner for a Timber Merchant. In 1914, he married Phyllis Mabel Bingle.
Edgar enlisted in Stroud as a Private in the 7th (Service) Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment and departed for the Balkans on 19 June 1915. He went on to serve at Gallipoli and was returned to England suffering from dysentery and exhaustion.
He died at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley in Hampshire on 3 Oct 1915, aged 22 and is buried in Netley Military Cemetery.
Medals 1914-15 Star, Victory and British War
Connection to Woodchester
Uncertain - E Miles from Woodchester listed in Stroud District and its part in the Great War as being in the forces in 1915.
Background
7th Bn were at Blackdown Camp, Aldershot in February 1915.
19 June 1915 they sailed from Avonmouth via Alexandria, arriving at Mudros on the Greek Island of Lemnos on 9 July.
On 11 July they landed on Gallipoli.
It seems likely that Edgar took part in the dreadful advance starting 7 August when the 7th Bn were torn apart. Every officer, CSM and CQM Sgt were either killed or wounded and the battalion was left consisting of groups of men being commanded by junior NCOs or privates. The battalion started the advance with a strength of almost 1000 and ended with only 181 completely unscathed. The rest were either killed or wounded.
By 1911, the family had moved to Bridgeside in Cainscross and Edgar was a wood turner for a Timber Merchant. In 1914, he married Phyllis Mabel Bingle.
Edgar enlisted in Stroud as a Private in the 7th (Service) Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment and departed for the Balkans on 19 June 1915. He went on to serve at Gallipoli and was returned to England suffering from dysentery and exhaustion.
He died at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley in Hampshire on 3 Oct 1915, aged 22 and is buried in Netley Military Cemetery.
Medals 1914-15 Star, Victory and British War
Connection to Woodchester
Uncertain - E Miles from Woodchester listed in Stroud District and its part in the Great War as being in the forces in 1915.
Background
7th Bn were at Blackdown Camp, Aldershot in February 1915.
19 June 1915 they sailed from Avonmouth via Alexandria, arriving at Mudros on the Greek Island of Lemnos on 9 July.
On 11 July they landed on Gallipoli.
It seems likely that Edgar took part in the dreadful advance starting 7 August when the 7th Bn were torn apart. Every officer, CSM and CQM Sgt were either killed or wounded and the battalion was left consisting of groups of men being commanded by junior NCOs or privates. The battalion started the advance with a strength of almost 1000 and ended with only 181 completely unscathed. The rest were either killed or wounded.