John Miles Handley
1939: joiner's apprentice
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
John Miles was the son of John Charles Handley and his wife Sarah Emily (née Meats).
Both his parents were born in Nottingham, John Charles (b. abt 1883), the son of John Joseph Handley, and Sarah Emily in December 1884, the daughter of John and Catherine Meats. Sarah was baptised at Carrington St John the Evangelist on 4 March 1885; her family lived at 56 Hucknall Road.
John and Sarah were married at West Bridgford St Giles on 3 March 1913. John attested in the Royal Garrison Artillery two years later in 1915 and served until July 1918 (see 'Extra information') . The couple had three children; John Miles (1919), Charles Stuart (k/a Stuart, 1920) and Joyce (July 1922).
In 1921 the famiy was living at 25a Plains Road, Mapperley: John, a manufacturer's clerk/agent blouses and robes (on his own account), Sarah Emily and their two sons John Miles and Charles Stuart. Also in the household was a general domestic servant.
Four of the family were recorded on the 1939 England & Wales Register (taken 29 September) at 21 Githa Road, Hastings: John a hosiery warehouseman sale and stockroom, Sarah, John a joiner's apprentice and Joyce an art student. It is likely that they were on holiday although war had been declared earlier in the month. Stuart has not yet been traced on the Register.
John Charles Handley died on 18 May 1952 and his widow Sarah on 13 February 1961. The probate record gave Sarah's address as 340 Cavendish Road, Carlton. Probate was awarded to her surviving children, Charles Stuart, an assistant sales manager, and Joyce, 'spinster'.
Joyce married George Severn at Codnor Bethesda Chapel in 1967 ( reg JFM Ilkeston); she died in 1988 (Probate: residence Giltbrook Nottinghamshire).
Lance Corporal John Miles Handley, 1st Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, died of wounds on 10 March 1944.
He is buried in Cassino War Cemetery, Italy (grave ref. VIII.G.18)
CWGC. History of Cassino War Cemetery: The cemetery is in the Commune of Cassino, Province of Frosinone. 'On 3 September 1943 the Allies invaded the Italian mainland, the invasion coinciding with an armistice made with the Italians who then re-entered the war on the Allied side. Progress through southern Italy was rapid despite stiff resistance, but by the end of October, the Allies were facing the German winter defensive position known as the Gustav Line, which stretched from the river Garigliano in the west to the Sangro in the east. Initial attempts to breach the western end of the line were unsuccessful. Operations in January 1944 landed troops behind the German lines at Anzio, but defences were well organised, and a breakthrough was not actually achieved until 18 May, when Cassino was finally taken. The site for Cassino War Cemetery was originally selected in January 1944, but the development of the battle during the first five months of that year made it impossible to use it until after the Germans had withdrawn from Cassino. During these early months of 1944, Cassino saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Italian campaign, the town itself and the dominating Monastery Hill proving the most stubborn obstacles encountered in the advance towards Rome. The majority of those buried in the war cemetery died in the battles during these months.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: Son of John Charles and Sarah Emily Handley, of Thorneywood, Nottinghamshire.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'In everloving memory. After duty nobly done. Dad, mother, Stuart and Joyce.'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 March 1945: ‘Handley. Memories every day of our dearly loved son and brother, who died of wounds in Italy, March 11th (sic), 1944. Dad, mother, Joyce, Stuart (India).’
Family history:
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Marriages’, 4 March 1913: ‘Handley-Meats. On March 3rd at Bridgford Parish Church, by the Rev R Hargreaves, John Charles Handley to Sarah Emily Meats.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
John Charles Handley served in the Royal Garrison Artillery in the Great War (283792 Bombardier). He attested on 8 December 1915 aged 32 years 7 months, home address 35a PlainsRoad Nottingham. John transferred to the Army Reserve the same day and was then posted to No. 4 Depot RGA on 11 January 1916. He was posted on 5 July 1916 (Gunner) then appointed paid Acting Bombardier on 13 November the same year, and posted a week later on 21 November. He was promoted Bombardier on 23 February 1917, posted 21 September. The dates and postings on his Army Service Record are unclear, but he was serving overseas by 1917 as in early November that year he suffered a gun shot wound (severe) to his right foot and was admitted to No. 18 General Hospital Cannes. He was discharged (RGA Reserve Brigade) on 9 July 1918, 'Disease mental instability. Caused by Service-no'. He was issued with War Badge No. 418747 and was awarded a pension of 20 shillings for four weeks from 9 July 1918 and 21 shillings from 7 August 1918, to be reviewed in 26 weeks. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John Mile's brother, Stuart, served in the Royal Regiment of Artillery (Royal Artillery Attestations, 910333) Handley Charles Stuart. He was serving in India when the family placed an 'In Memoriam' notice to John in the local paper in March 1945. He may have extended his service after the war as there are two notes on his RA Attestation record '25 June 1946, (-ZT)' and '21 May 1958, now Royal Artillery'.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 20 May 1952: Handley. On Sunday, May 18th, John Charles, after a long illness, RIP. No mourning by request. Sallie [Sarah], Stuart, Jin [Joyce].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Photo of John Miles Handley
Buried in Cassino War Cemetery, Italy (www.cwgc.org)