A First War Military Medal Group for Artillery Action in 1918

Military Medal, George V (123 Cpl. - A. SJT: - R.C. MILES. 2/HY: BY: CAN: G.A.); 1914-15 Star (123 GNR: R.C. MILES. CAN: FD: ART:); British War Medal (123 SJT. R.C. MILES. C.G.A.); and Victory Medal (123 SJT. R.C. MILES. C.G.A.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, light contact, residue in the recessed areas of the Star from cleaning, better than very fine. Accompanied by copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records, Pay Records, Discharge Certificate and Military Medal Citation. Footnote: Reginald Charles Miles was born in Gillingham, England on August 1, 1890. He signed his Attestation Paper on November 14, 1914 in Montreal, Quebec, naming his next-of-kin as his father, Charles Hazel Miles of Somerset, England, stating that he had previous military service with the 4th Somerset Light Infantry, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Shoe Operator. He was confirmed in the rank of Bombardier on March 1, 1915 and embarked Canada aboard the S.S. Caledonia on June 15th, arriving in England on the 25th. After three months in England, he embarked Southampton for the French theatre on September 9th, disembarking at Le Havre. The following year, he was promoted to Corporal on November 11, 1916 and seven months later, admitted to the Military Hospital at Taunton on June 2, 1917 with Neuralgia of the Testicle (pain in the nerves of the testicle), before he was discharged on the 7th. The year 1918 would be an eventful one for Miles, beginning with a promotion to Sergeant on March 20th. By April, he had been transferred to the 2nd Canadian Heavy Battery, Canadian General Artillery and was Mentioned in a Despatch on April 19, 1918, recommended for a Military Medal. His was cited in the London Gazette, p. 30797, on July 16, 1918: "On April 3rd 1918, the Battery was subjected to heavy hostile fire. The crews were ordered to their dug-outs. No. 3 pit caught fire. Sgt MILES immediately went to the assistance of Bdr WELLS, who was trying to put it out. Most of the water had to be carried through heavy shelling for about 200 yards. The cartridges in the pit were on fire, several boxes of S.A.A. were exploding, some shrapnel went off and hit the pit. Sgt MILES continued working until 3 p.m. when he was knocked unconscious by the concussion and rendered unfit for further work." He sustained a scalp wound and shock but remained at duty. In June of the same year, he fractured his fibula and sprained his knee during a football (soccer) game, as a member of the Battery team in a Brigade League game, "when checking an opponent who was coming down the field, with the ball he slipped and fell injuring his leg. The injury was purely accidental, Sgt. Miles being in no way to blame." He was treated at No. 55 General Hospital in Boulogne, France, invalided to England, continuing his treatment and recuperation at various locations. He was also given permission to marry on September 29th. Upon the ceasing of hostilities, he was sent to Kinmel Park on December 30th, pending his return to Canada. He returned to Canada in late January 1919 aboard the Empress of Britain, disembarking in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Miles was discharged upon demobilization at No. 4 District Depot in Montreal, Quebec, on February 12, 1919.