Father and 2 sons enlist. 10th West Kent

[fjwiltshire]

The war memorial of the east Sussex village of Blackham records J.Miles, died 1916.

His father and younger brother enlisted too, and all their records survive and are on Ancestry.

The first to enlist was William Thomas Miles, born Penshurst, Dec Qtr 1898, who attested 20/9/1915, just short of his 17th birthday.

At 5'7" with a 37" chest he was a good size for the times and convinced them he was 19years and 5months old. He was accepted into the 10th West Kent Regt. No GS/9994

On the 24/9/1915 his father James John Miles enlisted in London with the Royal Engineers, becoming no 123219, aged 46years and 210 days. Two years later, after a health breakdown, he was transferred to the Labour Corps, no 292809. He got the 14/15 Star and was demobbed February 1919, aged 50.

Older brother Alfred James Miles joined 10th WKR on 9/11/1915, aged a truthful 21years 60days, no G/10716. He was KIA 15th July 1916 and is buried in Gunners Farm Cemetery, Ploegsteert.

Can anyone throw light on the events of AJMiles' death, please.

William Thomas served in Italy in 1918 receiving a gunshot wound to the thigh, and was in Ireland from August to December 1918.

I'm researching the roll of honour for the centenary,

[Colin W Taylor]

Frank

The 10th R West Kent R war diary hasn't any particular detail as to his death; it mentions one man wounded on the 15th July and two men sick to hospital. There are none mentioned as dead or wounded on days on either side. Their HQ was at Despierre Farm in square C3.c.

There was some artillery fire but snipers were quiet. I'll transcribe this shortly if no-one else beats me.

Kind regards

Colin

[Phil Evans]

There is one Killed on the 16th, but no-one corresponding on CWGC, so that may be him.

Hold fire Colin and I will transcribe the 16th in a minute.

Phil

[Phil Evans]

10th RWK diary for 16/07/16:

DESPIERRE FARM HQ C.3.c

Normal. During the day our Artillery bombarded the Enemy's front line trenches, but the Enemy retaliated very feebly. (About 50 shells against 500). At 10pm our Artillery again bombarded them and this time brought rather more retaliation than during the day. Sniping was moderate on both sides through lack of targets. Machine Guns very active again in preventing Enemy from working. Our work progressed very favourably. The vicinity of DESPIERRE FARM was shelled by the Enemy between 10.30pm and 11.00pm but little material damage was done.

Strength 29 - 907. Killed - 1OR. 2 Wouned. Evacuated sick - 1OR

[Colin W Taylor]

Phil

I presumed that the war diary would record men carried back wounded but who may have succumbed later in the day or night. The 15th July diary states:

'Normal. The day was spent by all in studying the new positions in the line. Trench work was done in retaining trenches which had previously been neglected. Snipers were quiet on both sides. During the day our artillery kept up a vigorous bombardment of enemy's wire to prepare the way for a minor enterprise by the DLI on our right. The enemy did not retaliate and were quiet in every respect. During the night a message showing English and French victories on the Western Front at this date was exhibited for information of enemy at dawn and during the day. Although placed in a conspicuous place in the front line the enemy did not attempt to destroy it in any way. During the night our artillery vigorously bombarded the enemy's lines but brought forth no retaliation. The MG Sect were active in preventing the enemy from working. 2Lt Allen joined the Battalion from 12th Res Bn. Strength 29-907. Cas 1 W OR, Evac Sick 2 OR.'

Kind regards

Colin

[Phil Evans]

Colin,

It's one of those things I suppose, where it could be a day either way. I plumped for the 16th because there are no other 10th Bn casualties recorded on that day on CWGC and the diary showed a bit more enemy action on their lines.

Presumably the cemetery is close to their lines? McMasters is down again, so I can't check

Phil

[fjwiltshire]

Thankyou Phil and Colin.

The site of Despierre Farm is about 400yards east of the cemetery on the same road. So I guess James Miles, as he was known, was the victim of sporadic shellfire. One of the steady drip-drip of casualties.

I'm very grateful for your interest and help. Frank