GILES, Frank

Frank Giles was born in 1900, the son of Mr and Mrs W. Giles of 4 Alwen Street, Wordsley. He enlisted in 1918 and was sent to the Devonshire Regiment. He joined the 5th (Prince of Wales Territorial) Battalion in the 62nd Division on the Western Front in June. This month was the turning point of 1918 and the Devons were to fight in the ultimately successful Advance to Victory. They were in the battles of September and in the front line for the capture on the 18th of Epehy, one of the fortified villages guarding the Hindenburg Line. On the 27th came the Battle of the Canal du Nord and the breaking of the enemy’s Line, a crucial victory. Casualties were many and included Private Frank Giles who was killed on the 27th and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois and Wordsley Memorials.