Francis Meade Miles

Story:
Francis Meade Miles was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27 Mar 1890 the son of Edwin Miles, a Nurseryman, and Lucy Jane Miles (nee Meade). He lived his early life at Nettlebed Nursery, Enmore Green. The Motcombe Parish Magazine of May 1916 indicates that he was serving in WW1 with the Colombo Guards in Ceylon. He was also a pupil up to 1905 at Shaftesbury Grammar School and was listed by the school as serving with the Ceylon Contingent. The Guards were only ever mobilized in WW1 and WW2 to act as a support for the local Ceylon Defence Force principally to maintain order etc. within the city of Colombo. This was often staffed by British officers. There are no other details as to his military service. The next time he is found in the UK is on an Electoral Roll in 1923 showing an address at Whiteley House, Bosham, West Surrey. There is a marriage record showing he married Margaret H. Marslin in Camberwell, London, during 1935. By the 1939 Register Francis is at 112 Cromwell Road, Kensington, London, described as a Hotelier and also a widower. There are various other possible marriages after 1939 but it is known that on his death in Kensington, London, on 23 Aug 1955 his estate went to his then widow, Vera Barbara Miles (nee Payne), who he had married in 1955 just before he passed away.