Leonard Miles

Date of birth:	1899
Place of birth:	Southampton
Service No.:	50025
Rank:	Rifleman
Regiment:	Royal Irish Rifles
Battalion:	1/8th London Regiment
Died:	23rd August 1918 aged 19 years
Death location:	France and Flanders

 

Life before the War
Leonard’s father Harry was born in Fareham 1868 and died in 1943 Southampton.  His mother Florence Helena, nee Pascoe; came from Bromley, Kent; was born in 1870 and baptised on 18^th December 1870.  She died in 1950 in Sussex.  Harry and Florence married in 1894 Kent.

Leonard’s 6 siblings – 2 sisters and 4 brothers – were:

Herbert Harry   b.1895 and d.1952

Gladys May   b.1897

Leslie   b.1901

Gwendoline Vera   b.1906

Reginald Victor   b.1908 and d.1956

Archibald born 24^th March 1910 and died 10^th August 1969 in Southampton’s General Hospital.

The 1901 census shows that Harry had his own Clothiers shop at 127 St. Mary Street, Southampton, which was also their home.  Harry employed a General Servant Domestic.

The family had moved to 111 Bevois Valley Road, Southampton by 1911.  Harry now worked as an Insurance Canvasser whilst Herbert was a Messenger for a Draper’s Shop.

 

War Service

 

Leonard enlisted in Southampton, joining the Royal Irish Rifles.  He died of wounds whilst fighting in France and Flanders.

He is Remembered with Honour at the Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France. The Memorial reads:
“Miles, Rfn. Leonard, 50025. London Irish Rifles. Died of wounds 23^rd Aug., 1918. Age 19. Son of Harry and Florence Helena Miles, of 62, Bevois Valley, Southampton. Grave Reference VI. C. 1”

 

 

Ireland’s Memorial Records
“Miles, Leonard. Reg. No. 50025. Rank, Rifleman, 1/18^th London Regiment (Royal Irish Rifles); died of wounds, France, August 23, 1918; born Southampton, Hampshire”

Leonard was entitled to the British Service and Victory Medals.

 

Researcher:	Becky Lonergan
Published:	14th June 2015
Updated:	10th October 2015

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