Kenneth Arthur Iles
Memorial: Hanham - High Street
Regiment: Royal Navy
Medals: 1939–45 Star, War Medal 1939–1945
Rank and number: Air Mechanic 1st Class FX78610
Parents: Arthur James and Kate Iles
Home address: 53 Lower Hanham Road, Hanham, Bristol
Pre-war occupation: Waterman’s assistant in paper board making
Place of birth: Keynsham, Bristol
Date of death: 19/08/1944
Buried/Commemorated at: Bristol Avon View Cemetery (Plot Purple. F. Grave 120.), Bristol
Age: 24
Further information:
Kenneth had also served on three Russian Convoy voyages. Whilst serving on HMS Victorious he met school friend Les Wilson whilst disembarking after two months at sea. They had both witnessed the sinking of HMS Eagle. When on leave from Pentland Firth, they would meet each other in the Queens Head or Jolly Sailor in Hanham. Kenneth's nickname was ‘Ginger’ and Les was ‘Tub’
Kenneth attended Hanham Methodist church and his name is honoured on the Memorial Plaque
He died whilst he was salvaging an aircraft near Yeovilton, one of the wings touched an electric cable and he was electrocuted
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
This information is based by kind permission on the following source.
1) Booklet ‘Not Just a Name on Stone’ by Hanham Local History Society
2) Thanks to Mr R Crew and Mrs. M Antill of Hanham Local History society for their help
3) Jo Hurst, researcher for the Second World War Stories Project.