Captain Harry Gordon Massy Miles, MC*, L.R.C.P.
RAMC attached 1/8th (City of London) Battalion (Post Office Rifles) London Regiment
Died after exposure to toxic gas
Date of Birth: 1886
Place of Birth: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Date of Death: 26 April 1918
Buried: St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen.Remembered on Seafront Memorial, Teignmouth, and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Roll of Honour.
Awarded the Military Cross
Captain Harry Gordon Massy Miles, MC*, L.R.C.P., age 31. Born Dublin in 1886, he was the son of Reverend Joseph H Miles and Adelaide Miles; his father Joseph was curate of St. James’ Church, West Teignmouth. The 1901 census showed him boarding at All Saints School, Bloxham, Banbury. In 1911 he was living alone with 2 servants at St. Alban’s working as an assistant Medical Practitioner. He was the husband of Charlotte Massy-Miles; she was in charge of Meath Military Convalescent Hospital, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Royal Army Medical Corps Cap Badge © IWM (INS 8067)
Harry enlisted in the first week of the war and served as a Lieutenant with Royal Army Medical Corps throughout the war.
He was attached to 1/8 Battalion,London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) when he was severely gassed at Villers-Brettoneux and died at the 8th General Hospital in Rouen on 26 April 1918. Buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen.Remembered on Seafront Memorial, Teignmouth, and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Roll of Honour.
Grave inscription reads: “Beloved son, husband, brother with Christ which is far better.”
“Captain Harry Godfrey Massey Miles Capt. RAMC, son of rev. J H miles, curate of W Teignmouth. Age 31 volunteer in first week of war. Been serving at western front for over three years.Went to render assistance during gas attack, overcome by gas fumes, died three days later in Rouen hospital.Formerly in practice in Manchester, wife in charge of military hospital at Bray, county Wicklow.” Teignmouth Post - 3 May
Military Cross
Military Cross awarded : T/Capt. Harry Godfrey Massy-Miles R.A.M.C. London Gazette 26.7.18 (edn 30813)
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion during several days of severe fighting, when he kept in close touch with the battalion, working unceasingly, without rest during the whole period, dressing the wounded including the French. He showed great initiative in establishing forward R.A.P.'s reconnoitring their sites beforehand under heavy hostile shell fire, thus greatly assisting the rapid evacuation of casualties. His courage and cheerfulness throughout a period of great strain were beyond praise”
Captain Harry Godfrey Massy-Miles Donation for Obstetrics Prize
His widow with the agreement of Harry’s family and in lieu of a memorial set up the fund, Captain Harry Godfrey Massy-Miles Donation for Obstetrics, which was awarded to the student who obtains the highest marks in the final Professional examination in Obstetrics and Gynaecology during the year.
Terms and conditions of donation: A sum of £100 at 5 per cent. War Loan, Stock, lodged with the
Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland by Mrs. Charlotte E. J. Massy-Miles, to found a prize in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in memory of her husband, Captain Harry Godfrey Massy-Miles, M.C., to be awarded to the student who obtains the highest marks in the final Professional examination in Obstetrics and Gynaecology during the year, provided he fulfills the following conditions:
- That he obtains at least 65 per cent of the total marks allotted to the examination.
- That he completes his curriculum in the prescribed time of five years.
- The prize to consist of books to the value of the annual income.
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