William Henry Giles
Private 305059 - Sherwood Foresters
Notts and Derby Regiment 2/7th Battalion
Enlisted: Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts
Died - France and Flanders 21st March 1918 : Aged 25
Arras Memorial Bay 7.
Private 305059 William Henry Giles was born Q1 1894 in Nottingham. Parents 1885 Q1 Nottingham district registered marriage between Boot Repairer Mr Samuel Benjamin Giles from Gloucestershire, and Miss Jane Burton from Stapleford, stayed in her home city raising seven children. Father heads later 30 Blackstone Street 1911 address aged 47. Wife Mrs Jane Giles 51, had by then mothered, Amy Louisa 1885, Bernard 1897, Albert 1891, William Henry 1894, Emma 1896, Arthur 1902, Leslie 1905.
Mr William Henry Giles was then a working 17 year old coal miner living in Huthwaite. Sharing aunts 1911 Barker Street family home headed by Mr George Edwards 55, his mothers married sister Mrs Harriett Edwards 47, mothered Emma and Elizabeth.
Pte 1203 William H Giles enlisted at Sutton joining the 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment. Deployment into the Western Front recognises active service with battalion transferal and regiment renumbering to Private 305059 William Henry Giles serving the 2/7th Sherwood Foresters. Parents shared concerns over reports William had been missing since 21st March 1918. Press reportage further notes they themselves had then also moved into Barker Street, Huthwaite.
Private 305059 William Henry Giles was eventually declared presumed dead, likely killed in action among France and Flanders battlefields on that 21st March 1918, aged 25. Named recipient of all this soldiers war gratuities was in fact his Guardian aunt Mrs Harriett Edwards, furthermore acknowledging Dependent Mr George Edwards, all ensuring a Huthwaite roll of honour.
Private W.H. Giles, 305059, D Company, 13th Platoon, 2/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, has been reported as missing since March 21st. His parents, who reside at 69, Barker street, Huthwaite, will be pleased to hear any news of him.