Clement Giles
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Clement was the only son of Clement Giles and Cordelia Giles (nee Lovett). Clement Giles and Cordelia Lovett were married in 1891 and according to the information provided on the 1911 Census they had been married for 22 years [20 years] and had had seven children of whom only six survived. Six children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911, the eldest of whom, Ethel Annie G birth registered 1889 (J/F/M) who was born before their marriage. Their five other surviving children were: Clara b. 1892, Clement b. 4 July 1894, Gertrude b. 1896, Kate b. 1900 and Alice b. 1902. All the children were born in Nottingham. In 1891 Clement Giles (22), a framework knitter, was living with his brother Frank (26) a painter and decorator, his wife, Emmeline (24) and their daughter Rose (6) at 14 Penryhn Terrace, St Ann's. The same year Cordelia Lovett (21), a box maker, and her two-year old daughter Ethel Lovett were living at 12 Norland Road, Mapperley, in the home of her widowed mother, Eliza (62). Also in the household were Cordelia's four unmarried brothers, James Z (30), Henry (28), John E (17) and Charles T (13). Ethel Annie Lovett's maiden name was given on subsequent records as 'Giles'. Clement and Cordelia were married later in 1891 and by 1901 were living at 51 Norland Road, Mapperley. Clement (32) was now employed as a surgical bandage maker. They had five children; Ethel (12), Clara (8), Clement (6), Gertrude (4) and Kate (1). Their daughter Alice was born the following year. By 1911 the family had moved to 38 Hunt Street, Gordon Road, Nottingham; five of Clement and Cordelia's six children were in the home on the night of the census: Clara (18) a lace worker, Clement (16) a needle maker, Gertrude (14) a lace worker, Kate (11) and Alice (9). Their eldest child, Ethel, had married Alexander (William Alexander) Conroy in 1910 and in 1911 they and their daughter Ethel (10m) were living on Burgass Road, Thorneywood, Nottingham. Alexander (23, b. 1887 Nottingham) was a bricklayer and Ethel (22) was working as a machinist. Ethel and Alexander later emigrated to Australia and there are Australian records of the deaths of both Ethel Annie Conroy and William Alexander Conroy. Clement and Cordelia Giles were still living at 38 Hunt Street, Gordon Road, when their son was killed in 1916. However, the CWGC record which was compiled later gave their address as 36 Hunt Street, Gordon Road. Both Cordelia and Clement Giles died in 1944; Cordelia's death at the age of 73 was registered in March and Clement's at the age of 75 was registered in December.
Clement enlisted on 27 August 1915 and was drafted for the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 16 February 1916. He was posted to Anson Brigade at Stavros on 23 March 1916. Clement later served in France and was initially reported missing in action on 13 November 1916. His body was later recovered and identified. He is now buried in Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel which was not created until 1917. (Grave ref. IV.C.9). CWGC - History of Ancre British Cemetery (exract): 'The village of Beaumont-Hamel was attacked on 1 July 1916 by the 29th Division, with the 4th on its left and the 36th (Ulster) on its right, but without success. On 3 September a further attack was delivered between Hamel and Beaumont-Hamel and on 13 and 14 November, the 51st (Highland), 63rd (Royal Naval), 39th and 19th (Western) Divisions finally succeeded in capturing Beaumont-Hamel, Beaucourt-sur-Ancre and St. Pierre-Divion. Following the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in the spring of 1917, V Corps cleared this battlefield and created a number of cemeteries, of which Ancre British Cemetery (then called Ancre River No.1 British Cemetery, V Corps Cemetery No.26) was one. There were originally 517 burials almost all of the 63rd (Naval) and 36th Divisions, but after the Armistice the cemetery was greatly enlarged when many more graves from the same battlefields and from the following smaller burial grounds [listed].'
Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Always Remembered' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 13 November 1919: ‘Giles. In loving memory of our dear son and brother, AB Clement Giles, RND, killed in action November 13th 1916. Always in our thoughts. From father, mother, and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 13 November 1920: ‘Giles. In loving memory of our dear son and brother, AB Clement Giles, RND, killed in action November 13th 1916. Fondly remembered. Father, mother, sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 13 November 1921: ‘Giles. In loving memory of Clement Giles, Royal Naval Division, killed in action 1916. Fondly remembered. From father, mother, and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.u
