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 18th 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 24th March 1910 and died 10th 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 23rd 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, 1/18th 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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