Giles, Oliver Charles (Charlie, “Wagger”)

Age: 19
Date of birth: c1923

Parents: John Ernest and Elizabeth A Giles nee Spare
Wife: Single
Address: 7 Crompton Row, Warwick

Occupation: Worked at Nelson Dale Gelatine Factory

Charlie’s parents were John Ernest and Elizabeth (nee Spare). He had a brother, Arthur Thomas (Tom), who was serving overseas, as well as brother Percy and sister Bertha/Ethel (born 1928).

Charlie attended Westgate School. In 1939, the family were living at 64 Millers Road, Warwick.

Charlie had the nickname of ‘Wagger’ which was brought to light by an obituary from his ‘pal … Pud Mason’

Warwick Advertiser 11th June 1943

His Burial Slip for Warwick Cemetery says that Charlie died ‘somewhere in England’ and other sources suggest that he died at Louth in Lincolnshire.

Military Service

Rank & Number: Private, 5126597
Regiment/Service: 1/7th Batallion Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Brigade/Division: 143rd Infantry Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division
Date of death: 4th June 1942
Cause of death/Battle: Died of wounds following a hand grenade incident
Commemorated/Buried: Buried in Warwick Cemetery. CWGC Reference: Sec. 104. Grave 7. CRO Reference: Section H1, Row 24, Plot 4
Awards:
Commemorated locally at: St Paul's Church

 

Charlie had only been in uniform for 4 months when he died – he is buried in Warwick Cemetery

Contributors

  • Unlocking Warwick Research Group
  • Warwick Advertiser excerpts courtesy of Warwickshire County Record Office

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