PEOPLE IN PORTSMOUTH

 

Lives Lived and Lives Lost - Portsmouth and the Great War

MAURICE MILES
 
The 1911 census records Maurice Miles living with his family at 4 North Street, Portsea, but that is the only documentary evidence of his connection to Portsmouth.
 
Maurice's parents were John James and Elizabeth Miles, who were born at Pimperne, Dorset in 1858 and Brighton in 1862 respectively. They were married in 1881 and seem to have moved to Woolston, Southampton soon afterwards. Their three children, Ambrose, Maurice and Marguerite were born there, Ambrose in 1889 and the other two in 1896. The 1901 census found the family at Sholing also in Southampton whereas ten years later they had moved to Portsmouth. Throughout their marriage John James was a domestic coachman so it may have been changes of employer than prompted the moves.
 
At the outbreak of the Great War Maurice was 18 years old and probably enlisted straight away as he joined the 1st Portsmouth Battalion (later 14th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment). After training the battalion joined the 39th Division and landed at Le Havre on 6th May 1916. Within two months Maurice Miles had died of wounds received on the battlefield.
 
FURTHER INFORMATION
 
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) list M Miles, Private (14611), 14th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, died 24/07/1916. Buried at Merville Communal Cemetery (Grave Ref: XI.A.23.). Husband of C. G. Barfitt (formerly Miles), of go (sic), Copnor Rd., Copnor, Portsmouth.
 
Maurice Miles is remembered on the Cenotaph in Guildhall Square. He is not listed in the 'National Roll of the Great War' Section X.
 
Tim Backhouse
March 2015