In Nine Elms British Cemetery, Belgium is the Commonwealth War Grave of 26584 Private Edward Thompson Miles, serving with the 1st/5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment who died 14/12/1917.

The son of Edward and Mary T. Miles, of Ashington.

Margaret Allison reports that in 1911 his address was 4 Mersey Street, Ashington.

William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-

Edward was born at Hirst, Northumberland in 1898. His parents were Edward and Mary Thompson (nee Kell) who married at Morpeth in 1892. The couple went on to have 8 children but sadly 2 died. They were John (born/died 1893), Albert, Bessie, May Pretoria, Minnie, Ethel and Harry.

1901 census shows the family living at 14 Severn Street, Hirst. Father, Edward, was working at the pit as a hewer.

By 1911, Albert, was working as a labourer at the coal pit head. The following year, 1912, their last child Harry was born.

Edward enlisted at Ashington on January 14th 1917. His records show him to be 5 feet 7 inches tall, his weight was 9st 2 lbs, his religion was Wesleyan Methodist and his trade shown as a screener at the pit.

However his records also shows him to be suffering with a syphilitic eruption which required treatment.

He originally served with the Training Reserve Battalion as number 86259. He was later transferred to 5th West Riding Regiment on October 13th 1917.

In February 1917, before being sent to France, Edward was examined for service at Woodhorn Colliery.

He had been disciplined for a couple of offences whilst still at home. On May 25th 1917 he was reported for talking in the ranks when on a route march for which he gained 2 days confinement to barracks. Then on September 5th 1917 he overstayed his pass by 6 hours again earning 2 days confined to barracks.

Edward was posted to France on October 11th 1917, embarking from Folkestone then disembarked on the same day at Boulogne. He joined his battalion at Etaples on October 12th 1917.

Unfortunately, his service in France only lasted 2 months as on February 14th 1917 he succumbed to wounds received in action. He died at no. 44 Casualty Clearing Station, Belgium from a penetrating gunshot wound to his back shoulder.

The personal items he was carrying on his person where returned to his family – a disc, letters, photos and cards. His total military service amounted to only 303 days. On his headstone were the words:-Safe in the care of the Lord

Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal

His brother Harry Thompson Miles was killed in Sicily on August 8th 1943 during WW2.

Edward Thompson Miles is remembered in Ashington on A17.01 (A17.27) and A17.43