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Francis Miles Died 19 July 1917
Francis was born in 1895 at Hurst, Berkshire to father, John and mother Sarah and for some years lived in 5 Dowles Green Wokingham, Berkshire. He was the last born and had nine siblings, 5 brothers and 4 sisters. By the age of 16, Francis had become a tool maker in 1911.
Although we do not know when Francis joined the war, we do know his Battalion was created from volunteer forces in 1915 and was soon on its way to France. The 5th had seen action in Loos, the Somme and Arras. By 19th May 1917 he had been killed possibly around the trench ‘skirmishes’ in Arras or even during the Third Battle of the Scarpe, just North East of Monchy. His name is given on the Arras Memorial, not far from where we believe he fell. His parents, John and Sarah had already lost their eldest son Charles during the first weeks of the conflict on the Somme.
Name: MILES, FRANCIS ALFRED
Initials: F A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Royal Berkshire Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 19/07/1917
Service No: 15469
Additional information: Son of John and Sarah Ann Miles, of 5, Dowles Green, Wokingham, Berks.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 7.
Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
Born Hurst, Berkshire.
5 Dowles Green, Wokingham, Berkshire