Charles William Wiles

Charles William was the son of Alfred and Jane Wiles (née Meakes). His father Alfred was born in in Southwell in 1862, the son of Charles Wiles, a gardener, and his wife Elizabeth. In 1871 Alfred and his two older brothers were living with their parents at West Gate Southwell. However, by 1881 Alfred was a footman in the household of Sarah Hutchinson (73) 'gentlewoman' and her four unmarried daughters of 'no profession' at Westgate 'Palace' (sic), Southwell. Sarah also employed a cook and a housemaid. His mother Jane was born in Buckinghamshire in April 1861 (baptised Lane End May 1861), the daughter of George Joseph and Elizabeth Meakes. Jane was one of at least eight children. Alfred and Jane were married in 1886 (reg. Cambridge) and had eight children: Ethel Elizabeth b. 1887 and Alfred Edwin b. 1889 who were born in Cambridge and baptised at St Botolph's church, Dorothy Mary b. Blaby Leicestershire 1891 bap. Thurlaston, and the five youngest children who were born in Southwell, Margaret Ellen b. 1894, Jesse birth registered 1896 (J/F/M), Janet Emily birth registered 1898 (J/F/M), Charles William b. 20 March 1899 and George Joseph b. 1901. With the exception of Joseph, the four other children were baptised at Southwell Holy Trinity, Charles on 28 May 1899. In 1891 Alfred, a butler, his wife and their children Ethel and Alfred, were living at The Bolfields, Thurlaston, Blaby, Leicestershire. However, from information on the baptismal records, the family was living at Westgate, Southwell, by 1894 when Margaret Ellen was baptised, at Brackenhurst, Southwell, in 1898 and at Westhorpe in 1899. Two years later in 1901 Alfred, now a warehouseman (flour mill), was living in Normanton with his family of seven children, the youngest, George, was born later that year. By 1911 Alfred, a gardener (domestic), his wife and four of his children, Jesse who was working on a farm, Janet, Charles and George, together with a grandson, Eric John Wiles (b. Dec. 1907 reg. 1908 Southwell), were living at New Hill, Farnsfield, nr. Southwell. Ethel was living in Carlton, Nottingham, with John Watson, a railway platelayer, and their two-year old daughter Doris (Watson); the couple later married. Alfred was a footman at Park Hall, Weston Coyney, Longton, Staffordshire; also on the premises, which may have been servants' accommodation, were a cook, head parlourmaid and three housemaids. Margaret (Maggie), occupation housekeeper, was living with her widowed uncle Jesse Wiles, a gardener, at Trinity Place, Southwell, along with another niece, Elsie Tongue, whose occupation was also given as housekeeper. The fourth daughter, Dorothy, has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. The family later lived at 18 Querneby Road, Mapperley, Nottingham. Charles' father completed a form for the army in February 1920 listing his son's surviving relatives: Parents: Alfred and Jane Wiles, 18 Querneby Road Mapperley Brothers: Alfred Edwin (31) 79 Holborn Avenue Sneinton Dale Nottingham. Jesse (22) and George (19) 18 Querneby Road. Sisters: Ethel Watson (33) 3 Cottage Square Carlton Road. Dorothy Wiles (27), Margaret Wiles (23) and Janet Wiles (21) 18 Querneby Road. Alfred snr. died on 19 September 1934. He and Jane were then living at 217 Wilford Road, Meadows, but had lived there for some years as their daughter Janet was married from that address in 1926 (GW Fisher, St Faith North Wilford). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, his widow Jane, daughter Margaret, a fruit shop assistant, and grandson Eric, a maintenance fitter with Nottingham Corporation (Gas), were living at 50 Dornoch Avenue, Nottingham. Jane died in February 1948. Charles' brother Alfred Edwin also served in the war. He attested at Newark on 23 September 1914 on a Territorial Force engagement (4 years service UK). He was 25 years 4 months old, occupation footman, and living at 18 Querneby Road. According to his record, he had previously served with 'H' Coy. 8th Bn. Notts & Derby Regiment (four years, time expired). He was posted to the 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), 2568 later 305642 Private (later Corporal, 1 December 1918). He served in the UK from 23 September to 1 March 1915 (1y 60d) then with the BEF France from 2 March 1915-26 February 1919. On 23 April 1916 he was posted to 3rd Army School as CO's servant. His service record shows that he was granted leave from 9 February 1918 although the period of leave was not given. However, Alfred must have had previous periods of leave as he married Edith Morris in 1917 (A/M/J Nottingham); they had one child, Charles Samuel (b. 1919 O/N/D d. 1949). Alfred returned to the UK on 27 February 1919 and was later discharged from the 8th Bn. Notts & Derby Regiment at Clipstone, Nottinghamshire, to 18 Querneby Road.