205065 Pte. Charles Miles British Army 5th Btn. Cameron Highlanders from:West View, Brierley, Barnsley (d.3rd May 1917) My Uncle Charlie Miles, was 24 years old when he died. He enlisted in Sheffield with a friend, Claude Pickard, (S/40469). He, together with about 300 other members of the battalion, were killed by British Artillery - friendly fire! Apparently the British maps weren't accurate. Additional Information: | I'm glad I've found this! My great great grandfather was called Horace Pickard, and his brother was Claude, who we've been searching for. I'm not sure of many details on him, or how he died specifically. All I know he was 22 when he died, and he was a significant part of our family history. I'd love to know more about this if possible. Sophie Barton
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| There's not a lot I can add re Claude except that he enlisted in Sheffield at the same time as my Uncle Charlie. They have consecutive service numbers in the 5th Battalion, The Cameron Highlanders so must have been pals. They were the only two from Shafton, near Barnsley, who enlisted in Sheffield The Cameron Highlanders Regimental Museum is at Fort George, between Nairn & Inverness. The reason 2 Yorkshire lads were put into that Battalion was that it was the one which had suffered most casualties! There are various ideas as to how they were killed by our own side. One of them is that the Battalion became disorientated and turned so that they were marching across our own front lines.
Both names are on the Arras Memorial - I actually saw them, and took photos, when I went to Belgium & France two or three years ago. I'll see if I can find Claude's and send it to you.
John Miles
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