Pte. John Thomas Giles, 2nd Royal Sussex.

1914 Star. 7462 Pte. J. T. Giles, 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment. Born in the parish of St John's near Tunbridge Wells, John Thomas Giles, a 19 year old labourer serving in the 3rd Royal Sussex Militia, attested for the Royal Sussex Regiment on 12th November 1903, signing on for three years with the colours and nine years in the Army Reserve. His Service Papers describe him as almost 5' 5" in height, weighing 120lbs and with a dark complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. In February 1904, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion and subsequently saw overseas service in Malta (18th June 1904 - 28th May 1905) and Crete (29th May 1905 - 24th Oct 1906) before returning to the UK. On 11th November 1906, having completed three years service, John was transferred to the Army Reserve. In 1912, he married Mary Ann Fuller at the church of St John the Divine in Tunbridge Wells. On the outbreak of the First World War, John was recalled from the Reserve to join the 2nd Royal Sussex, his old battalion, and went to France with them on 12th August 1914. At some point in August 1914, he reported sick with chest trouble. In the words of the medical report: "States he first suffered from chest trouble in Malta 1904 while in army. In August 1914 at Le Havre reported sick with chest trouble and was marked as "attending". Susequently got wet in trenches and his trouble became aggravated. At present complains of pain behind sternum, cough, expectoration & suffers from shortness of breath." The condition was diagnosed as tubercle of the lung and he was eventually discharged as "no longer physicaly fit for war service" on 15th July 1915. The opinion of the Medical Board was that his condition was "not the result of but aggravated by active service. Exposure in the trenches." His disability was classed as permanent. In addition to the 1914 Star, John Thomas Giles was also awarded a British War Medal, Victory Medal and a Silver War Badge (No: 04135) for his service in the First World War. He died on 4th October 1918 at the age of 36.

 

 Article from "The Courier" 5th February 1915.