Royal Garrison Artillery Special Reservist: SR-1026 (later 276026) GNR E.J MILES R.A

SR-1026 (later 276026) GNR  E.J MILES R.A

Edward John Miles was born in  Churton, Shropshire in 1882. He was a Royal Garrison Artillery Special Reservist, having served for four years in the Shropshire and Staffordshire Royal Garrison Artillery before re-enlistment. He enlisted in the 'new' RGA Special Reserve at Shrewsbury on 26 August 1914, initially for one year. A labourer, he was aged 33. His next of kin was his wife, Esther Lily Miles (née Norris), of 35a Windsor Place, Castle Street,  Shrewsbury, whom he had married at Atcham in December 1912.

A "new" RGA Special Reserve, for men with previous service, was established on the outbreak of war, with terms of enlistment of one year or for the duration of the war.  The new numbering series commenced with "1" on the outbreak of war. Numbers were approaching 2400 by the end of October 1914, with SR/1330 having enlisted on 28 August 1914 and Gunner Miles, as SR/1026, on 26 August. By April 1916 numbering in this series had reached SR/8101. For the post-1917 renumbering  275,000 was added to the existing service number, thus making Gunner Miles' new regimental number from 25 October 1917 276026.

Upon re-enlistment, Gunner Miles was immediately posted to the Citadel, Plymouth and from there posted on to 10 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery on 1 January 1915, followed by 43 Company on 29 June and RGA 10 Depot on 7 November. 2 June 1916 saw him posted to the Heavy Artillery Depot at Woolwich and then on 14 July to No.3 Depot.

Gnr Miles remained in the UK for nearly two years, going overseas on 27 August 1916 from Devonport, ostensibly on posting to 'Base Details Egypt', but in fact disembarking in Salonika on 9 September 1916.

He appears to have been employed as an officer's batman. From [advance?] base depot he was first posted to 84th (Siege) Battery - equipped with four 6 inch Mk. XI and two 4.7 inch naval guns withdrawn from the naval defences of Alexandria and Mudros - but almost immediately (21 September 1916) posted-on to 130th (Siege) Battery. This battery, equipped with four 6 inch, 26cwt howitzers, had arrived in Salonika the previous month. The role of the siege batteries was primarily counter-battery work, destruction of earthworks,  interdiction of crossroads and transport lines, etc. Aqa

Something (the record is not entirely legible, possibly a bout of sickness) took him away from his battery in around June 1917, returning via Royal Artillery Base Depot on 9 September.

Later (7 August 1918, after what seems to have been a hospitalisation of some sort) he was posted to 320th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, also a 6 inch 26cwt howitzer battery,  which had arrived earlier in the year (March 1918?) from Egypt.  He was described by the commanding officer of the battery, Major K F Dunsterville, whose batman he possibly was, as "willing, hardworking and cheerful".

After being medically examined in the field on 19 February, he embarked for the UK from Salonika on 3 March 1919 in consideration of his long service. His Soldier's Protection Certificate was issued at Prees Heath on 15 March 1919 and he was discharged to the Army Reserve Class 'Z' on 13 April 1919. His home address on discharge was 16, Dogpole, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.