1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment
Tom Miles was born in Ruardean in 1888, son of William Miles, a collier, and his wife Mary.
Tom attested for the Herefordshire Regiment at Ruardean on 7 April 1908, giving his birthplace and abode as Ruardean, and occupation as collier at New Pit Co. His age was erroneously stated as 24 years. He also declared that he served in the 1st Herefordshire Volunteer Corps (7 February 1903 to 31 March 1908).
As a Territorial Force soldier 302 Private Tom Miles attended the annual camps from 1908 to 1913. He was promoted to Corporal on 6 July 1906 and to Sergeant on 23 July 1909.
On the outbreak of war he was mobilised as Sergeant in 1/1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment on 5 August 1914. On 1 January 1915 he was transferred to the Reserve Battalion of the Herefordshire Regiment, and on 19 June 1915 to 48th Provisional Battalion. Whilst with the latter battalion at Norwich he was reduced to the ranks by sentence of a District Court Martial on 7 February 1916 for ‘neglecting to obey Battalion orders’. He continued to serve in the ranks until 11 April 1916 when he was discharged at the end of his term of engagement, after eight years and five days service.
Either voluntarily, or by conscription, he rejoined the Herefordshire Regiment on 24 June 1916 as Private 237036. He was attached to 1/4th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI). He served in France with KSLI and was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. He was discharged under King’s Regulations as unfit for further service on 12 December 1918 suffering from anaemia and was issued with the Silver War Badge and granted a pension.
Tom Miles married Kate Annie Jones (1884-1969) at Lydbrook (Holy Jesus) Church on 11 August 1915 proudly stating his occupation in the marriage register as ‘Sergeant of Territorials’.
Tom Miles, of Caudle, Ruardean died on 16 December 1920, aged 32 years, and was buried at Ruardean (St John the Baptist) Churchyard.
Researched Eric Nicholls 19 September 2019