![](https://greatellingham.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Stanley-Giles.png)
Stanley Frederick Giles (1917-1942)
Courtesy Jane Sayliss
Stanley Giles was 25 year old when he died as a prisoner of war in Thailand on the 14th December, 1942.
Great Ellingham Born
He was born in Great Ellingham on the 15th November, 1917. His parents, John and Nellie Giles, already had three children – Douglas, Winifred and Margaret. Stanley was most likely born in the family’s home in Long Street.
Three-month-old Stanley was baptised in the Church of St James on the 24th February, 1918.
From Attleborough
The Giles family came to Great Ellingham from Attleborough before the birth of Wilfred, who was born in the summer of 1914.
1921 census
The 1921 census captures John and Nellie Giles with their five children in Long Street. 38 year old John Giles is working for farmer, Mr Rix, at Ling (Lyng) Farm. The children are all said to be attending school. The school, of course, is the Board School in Hingham Road which was opened in 1896.
![](https://greatellingham.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Stanley-Giles-Claude-Lebbell-1938-300x237.jpg)
Stanley Giles & Claude Lebbell c.1938
Courtesy of Susan Fay
1939 Register
Before 1939, the Giles family moved to the newly built council houses in Hingham Road. The 1939 Register lists the Giles family as John Giles (born 1883), Nellie Giles (born 1884) Wilfred C Giles (born 1914), Stanley F Giles (born 1917) and Mary G Giles born 1928.
John Giles is employed as a farm labourer. Wilfred is working at the nearby aerodrome as a general labourer, and Stanley is a labeller at the Cyder Works in Attleborough.
Marriage
![](https://greatellingham.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Stanley-Giles-Ethel-Edwards.png)
1940 Wedding of Stanley Giles & Ethel Edwards. The bridesmaid on the right is Ethel’s sister Edie (Edith)
Courtesy Jane Sayliss
The following year, Stanley married local girl Ethel Edwards. Ethel lived with her parents, George and Lizzie Edwards at Tanyard Farm Cottages. Their marriage was registered between April and June 1940. By then, Stanley had already ‘signed up’ with the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
Posting Overseas
Sadly, Stanley and Ethel were only able to spend a short time together as a married couple. Not long after the wedding, Stanley was posted overseas.
Prisoner of War
Worse was to come as Stanley was captured by the enemy, and became an internee in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp. He, along with many other prisoners of war, worked on the infamous Burma Railroad.
Tragic Death
Tragically, Stanley never returned home to Great Ellingham. He died of dysentery on the 14th December, 1942. He is buried in Chungkai War Cemetery in Thailand.
Ethel Giles
We can only imagine the shock, distress and heartache suffered by Ethel on hearing of Stanley’s capture and ultimately, his death. The couple had no children.
Widow Ethel Giles later married Douglas Harwood in 1949.
Sources:
Many thanks to Jane Sayliss, niece of Ethel Edwards
1921 census RG15. Registration District 231. Great Ellingham Schedule 129. Viewed via www.findmypast.co.uk
1911 census RG14/11469/41
1939 England & Wales Register. The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/6590H. Ancestry.com. 1939 England and Wales Register [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018.
UK, World War II Allied Prisoners of War, 1939-1945. Stanley Frederick Giles. The National Archives; Kew, London, England; WO 345 Japanese Index Cards of Allied POWs 1942-1947; Reference Number: WO 345/20. Ancestry.com. UK, World War II Allied Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018.
Great Ellingham Parish Registers Norfolk Record Office PD609. Viewed via www.ancestry.co.uk
UK. Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 & 1939-1947. Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Author: Peter Singlehurst; Series Title: British Commonwealth War Graves Registers, 1914-1918; Archive Name: London, United Kingdom. Ancestry.com. UK, Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
GRO Index. Free BMD