Edgar Giles

Mr Edgar Giles was born in Sithney, Porthleven, Cornwall, England in the second half of 1893.

He was the son of William Harvey Giles (b. 1853), a farm labourer, and Mary Cornish Andrewartha (b. 1855), both Cornwall natives who were married on 16 June 1878.

One of eight surviving children from a total of ten, his siblings were: Albert (b. 1878), James (b. 1880), William Henry (b. 1884), Lily (1886-1907), Richard (1888-1955), John Francis (b. 1890), Frederick George (b. 1891), Norman (1896-1953) and Edward Clare (1899-1978).

He first appears on the 1901 census living with his family at The Gew (?) in Sithney, Porthleven. The family later moved to Unity Street, Unity Road, Torleven, Porthleven and were listed there on the 1911 census. Edgar was absent however and he and his brother Fred were listed elsewhere at Alma House, Fore Street, Porthleven, the home of a Mr Richard Wills, a jobmaster, and his wife. Edgar was described as a cab driver and Fred as a bus driver. The Giles boys were well known in Porthleven for their singing.

In 1911 Edgar's elder brother William emigrated to America, where he set up home at 435 Pine Street, Camden, New Jersey and he worked as a professional horse trainer. A couple of years later Edgar and his brother Frederick decided to join him there and work for him.

For their journey both Edgar and Frederick travelled on Titanic, boarding at Southampton. They had been due to travel on Oceanic but the coal strike had forced the change to Titanic. They travelled second class. Edgar's ticket (number 28133) cost him £11, 10s and the brothers boarded the ship in Southampton on 10 April 1912.

Edgar Giles died in the sinking, his body, if recovered, was never identified.

His father did not see out the year and died in the latter months of 1912. His mother died in 1937.