WW1. Pair. Wiles. Australian Imperial Force. Killed in action.
£269.00
5903 Private E.D. Wiles, 19th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was killed in action in 1918.
Ernest Desmond Wiles, son of Annie Wiles of 34 Cambridge Road, Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex was 18 years old when he emigrated to Australia having attended school at Seven Kings in Essex. He enlisted in the A.I.F. being posted to B Company, 19th Battalion, embarking from Sydney for France on 7 October 1916.
He was mortally wounded on 8 August 1918. Statements recorded by the Australian Red Cross were given by Private Bennett stating that he was found at 5am with shrapnel wounds all over him who stated that he was conscious and took his equipment so he could lie down. About 2pm Private Sayle found that Wiles had been bandaged up and nearly dead stating that he would be buried near where he fell.
Private Walker expanded on Wiles's death stating 'On 3/8/18 the Battalion was in action in front of Villers Bretonneux on the first morning of the big advance. They hopped over at 4.20 am. Informant (Walker) was hit early and had his wounds dressed and on his way back about ¼ past 4pm, he saw Wiles lying dead on the ground, about 200 yards off the road between the hop over trench and Warfusee. Informant felt sure that Wiles was afterwards picked and buried. According to informant Wiles was a very well liked chap.'
Wiles is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, and Wellington Hall of Memory Honour Roll; sold together with extensive copied research.
Provenance. Sold by Spinks 24th July 2008 for £180.
