▶Date of birth: 23 December 1964    Place of birth: Owlsebury, Hampshire

▶Father: Philip Edward Miles    Mother: Eleanor Sarah Jex Blake

▶Spouse(s): Grace Isobel Miles      Date(s) of marriage: 9 February 1905      Place(s) of marriage: St. Saviour’s Church, Bath

▶Occupation: Major, Indian Army

▶Lifestory:  Bath Chronicle 16 February 1905

FASHIONABLE WEDDING AT ST. SAVIOUR'S

The wedding took place on Thursday at St. Saviour's, of Grace Isabel Miles, daughter of Colonel F. M. Miles, 15, Grosvenor, Bath, and Major Philip John Miles, son of the Rev. Philip Edward Miles, Odstock Rectory, near Salisbury. The officiating clergy were the Rev. P. E. Miles and the Rev. Henry Edmund Miles, of Huntley Rectory, Gloucestershire (uncle of the bride). The service was fully choral, and Mr. S. Barker presided at the organ, the hymns sung being "Lead us Heavenly Father" and ''Peace, perfect Peace".

The bride was attired in a beautiful dress of cream satin, with an old Honiton lace flounce, and a lace veil, and the dress was trimmed with pearl and chenille embroidery. She carried a bouquet of choice flowers, the gift of the bridegroom. She was attended by three bridesmaids—Miss Rachel Coldham and Miss Marion Coldham (nieces of the bride), and Miss Marjorie Miles (sister the bridegroom)—and they were attired in dresses of pale blue voile, trimmed with cream lace. They wore hats to match, and pearl and turquoise brooches, and carried bouquets of flowers, the gifts of the bridegroom. The bride was given away by her father, Colonel Miles. Major Gorton, R.A., of the War Office, officiated as best man. After the ceremony a reception was held at 15, Grosvenor, to which over 150 guests were invited.

Among those present, in addition those already named, and who formed the house party, were the Rev. and Mrs. H. Miles, the Rev. P. and Mrs. Miles and the Misses Miles, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Miles, Mr. and Mrs. Squarey, Mrs. Aubrey, Mrs. Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. Coldham and the Misses Coldham, the Rev. and Mrs. Bigg, Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. Chambers, etc. Later in the afternoon Major and Mrs. Miles left for the South of France, where the honeymoon will be spent, the bride's travelling costume being of pale green cloth, trimmed with coffee lace and cream embroidery.

From Who’s Who 2008

Joined Royal Marine Light Infantry, 1885; transferred to Indian Army, 1887; served in 45th Sikhs, 57th Wilde’s Rifles FF, 53rd Sikhs FF, and commanded 51st Sikhs FF, 1909–14; also served on special duty in Gilgit Agency and in Chinese Turkistan; Col 1913; temp. Brig.-Gen. 1914; served NWF India Hazara Expedition, 1888 (medal with clasp); Miranzai Expedition (1st expedition), 1891; China, 1900 (medal); NW Frontier, India, 1908 (despatches, medal with clasp, Bt Lt-Col); European War commanded 47th Infantry Brigade in France, Dec. 1915–Jan. 1916; returned India, 1917; commanded column Marri Punitive Force, 1918 (despatches, CMG); commanded Multan Brigade, 1918–19 (thanked by Govt of India); commanded Brigade Waziristan Field Force, 1919 (despatches, 1914–15 Star, British War and Victory medals, Afghan medal); retired Dec. 1919 with honorary rank of Brigadier-General

Gloucestershire Echo 28 December 1948

DEATH OF BRIG.-GEN. P. J. MILES; The death took place his home on Sunday, following an illness, of Brigadier-General Philip John Miles, of 3, Ryeworth–road, Charlton Kings.

Brig.-Gen. Miles came to Cheltenham in 1928, nine years after his retirement. He joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry in 1885, and was transferred to the Indian Army two years later. He saw service on the North-West frontier of India, and served on special duty in the Gilgit agency of Kashmir and in Chinese Turkistan. During the early part of the 1914-18 war he commanded the 47th Infantry Brigade in France. He was made Companion of the Bath in 1918. During his stay in Cheltenham, Brig-Gen. Miles closely associated himself with the local branch of the British Legion, and during the war served as a warden in the Ryeworth-road district of Charlton Kings. His only son, Major J. P. F. Miles, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, was awarded the D.S.O. for services in N.W. Europe during the last war. Brig.-Gen. Miles, who was 84-years-old, is survived by a widow, his son, and three daughters.

▶Moved to Pittville from:      Moved from Pittville to: 3 Ryeworth Road, Charlton Kings

▶Date of death: 26 December 1948    Place of death: 3 Ryeworth Road, Charlton Kings

▶Date of burial: 28 December 1948     Place of burial: Cremation at Cheltenham Crematorium

▶Notes:   ID: 15488

Contributor(s): David Drinkwater