Kenora Great War Project

 

Personal Details
Date of BirthJuly 23, 1892
Place of BirthMidland, Ontario
CountryCanada
Marital StatusSingle
Next of KinMother Mrs. Mary Myles, 1st Street North, Kenora
Trade / CallingRailroad Brakeman
ReligionBaptist
Service Details
Regimental Number2125022
Service Record Link to Service Record
BattalionNo 58 Broad Railway Operating Company
ForceCanadian Expeditionary Force
BranchCanadian Railway Troops
Enlisted / ConscriptedEnlisted
Date of EnlistmentFebruary 2, 1917
Age at Enlistment24
Theatre of ServiceEurope
Prisoner of WarNo
Survived WarYes
Death Details
Date of DeathApril 24, 1952
Age at Death59
Buried AtLake of the Woods Cemetery, Kenora, Ontario
Plot51E-39-1

Myles, George Hilliard

George Hilliard Myles was born on 23 July 1891 in Midland, Ontario.  His parents were Leith Myles and Mary Isabelle Jane Rathwell.  Siblings included William (1889 – 1956), Mabel (1893 – 1950), Edward (1894 – 1966), Laura (1897 – 1983) and Hugh (1898 – 1904).  The family moved to Rat Portage (Kenora), Ontario in 1898 and George received his education here.  He got employment with the Canadian Pacific Railroad.

On 02 February 1917 George enlisted with the #1 Section Skilled Railway Operators for service overseas in WW1.  He was a brakeman with the railroad at the time. George arrived in England aboard the SS Aussonia on 15 March 1917 and a month later he was in France with the 58th Broad Gauge Operating Company. He was granted working pay of 70 cents per day. This unit was operating lines in the immediate rear of active operations and hauled troops, ammunition, supplies, material, ambulance trains, refugees etc. for the battles of Messines Ridge, June 1917 and the Lys, April 1918. George’s mother died in March of 1918 while he was in France.  In August of 1918 George had a two week leave to the UK and in March of 1919 he had a nine day leave to Paris. In May of 1919 George travelled back to England in preparation for his return to Canada.  He received his official discharge due to demobilization on 27 May 1919.

George returned to Kenora and in July of 1922 he married Margaret Irene Pinch.  They had two children: Kenneth Gordon who served in the Canadian Army in WW2 and George Colin who served with the Canadian Navy in WW2. George Sr. continued to work for the CPR until about 1932 when he became the janitor at the Court House in Kenora. He and Irene lived on Water Street near the Court House. George was an elder at Knox United Church and a past noble grand of the Oddfellows Lodge.

George Hilliard Myles passed away on 24 April 1952 in Kenora.  He is buried in Lake of the Woods Cemetery. His wife, Irene died in 1968 and is interred beside him.

George’s brother, Edward, also served in WW1.

Myles-George-Hilliard-2 Myles-George-Hilliard-3 Myles-George-Hilliard-4 Myles-George-Hilliard-5


« Back To Soldier Biographies