Able Seaman, J G Miles

Commemorated As Served In The Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve

Son of John and Frances ('Fanny') Miles of Wetherby.

The Miles Family

Joseph George Miles was born at Wetherby in 1861 to parents John, occupation, a Bookbinder, and Fanny Miles, a Dressmaker. The couples second child, Ann Elizabeth being born at Wetherby in 1859, Joseph spent the early months of his life residing with his parents and sister at his maternal grandmother's house located in New Street (renamed Victoria Street in 1887).

In 1863, Robert John Miles was born only to die the following year, in addition to this sad loss, both Joseph's maternal grandparents died, his grandmother being buried on the same day as the infant Robert John. The 1871 Census records the family as now residing in premises located in New Street with John Miles now recorded as occupation, Master Bookbinder. Two more children had been born in the intervening years, Richard Robinson in 1865 and William Goodyear in 1869 and in the spring of 1871, another daughter was born, Sarah Jane Miles. The family at this juncture had also taken in a boarder, one William Green, a Journeyman/Saddler and a native of Nottinghamshire.

Moving to premises located in Back Street (renamed Bank Street in the 1870's) the 1881 Census records that Joseph had now found employment as a Law Clerk, Richard, choosing a different path and following in his father's footsteps as an Apprentice Bookbinder. Annie Elizabeth had also found employment as a General Servant (Domestic), her employer being one Charles Handcock, Vicar of Wetherby Parish Church. With the aged William Green still lodging with the family, Annie Beatrice Cullingworth, recorded as a niece, was also residing with the family, her baptism record stating that her mother was a Single Woman. (Authors note: Annie was in fact the child of her sister's daughter).

The 1890's would witness a change in some occupations of family members, the 1891 Census recording Joseph now being employed as a Clerk (County Council), Richard, a Grocer and Sarah Jane as a Dressmaker. With the town of Wetherby flourishing with new opportunities, there is no doubt that the family took advantage of new ventures. As occupations changed, there was also marriage and employment opportunities that resulted in the inevitability of siblings departing the family home. In late 1891, Richard married one Dorcas Fanny Wood, a native of Harewood, and upon the birth of two children, he had established business premises as a Grocer in North Street. Annie Elizabeth had also departed the town of Wetherby, now finding employment as a Housemaid at the residence of one Frances Tetley of Moor House, Headingley, Leeds.

Hull:- East Yorkshire

The 1901 Census records that at this juncture, Joseph, now referring to himself as 'George,' was residing as a Boarder with one Matilda Wood in Sharp Street, Hull. The circumstances as to why Joseph relocated to Hull are unknown, but the Census now records his occupation as that of a General Labourer.

In 1911, the Census record taken in this year proves to be even more intriguing. 'George' at this period is now recorded as a Boarder at premises located at 27, Dagger Street, Hull, occupation, a Marine Stoker. Lodging with one George Wallace, his five fellow boarders also consisted of those who had chosen a life at sea. Of these men, three were of German nationality, one, an Irishman and another a Norwegian. The premises were identified as a Sailors' Lodging House and was frequented by a number of sailors who were either out of work or simply 'down on their luck'. Hull at this juncture was subjected to strikes by both Sailors and Firemen whose employment was that of a 'casual' nature, Sailors being paid by the voyage, Dockers paid on a daily basis. The Strike of 1911 would witness one man being shot and seriously wounded at the Alexandra Dock in June when a bullet was fired by one of the crew of the S.S. "Ladywood" which was departing the Dock bound for Rotterdam. Striking for the protection of labour, the reform of wages and conditions, this industrial action was finally settled during the course of the following month but not before similar actions were staged across the whole of the country and Europe.

Commemoration Under Construction