Although Miles is not listed on the war memorial he is included in this section as his name is on the Register of Absent Voters of Saxlingham Thorpe, where his parents lived. He does not however seem to have lived for any length of time in the village
Miles Daines (Daynes) was the youngest son of Maria and Robert Daines. He was born in Bunwell, Norfolk on 4 May 1878. His father was an agricultural labourer. They lived at Eagles Farm, Bunwell.
He had two brothers:
Frederick born 1873
Arthur born 1876.
In 1891 he was still at school and lived with his parents in Hapton, Norfolk. His mother Maria died in 1891.
His father remarried in 1897 and Robert and his new wife Mary Ann moved to Foxhole, Saxlingham Thorpe. They were living there in 1901.
Miles was no longer living at home and was working as a domestic footman in the home of Sarah Brown at 18 Grovenor Gardens, Hanover Square, London.
By 1911 he was in partnership with Herbert Hardwick running a dining room at 40 Wells Street, Camberwell, London, Surrey. In 1915 he had coffee rooms in 19, Lower Kennington Lane and in 1916 dining rooms at 464 Streatham High Road, SW.
He joined the Royal Navy on 28 December 1916. He was described as bein 5 feet 5 inches tall with a 38 inch chest. He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He gave his occupation as working in a Refreshment room. His Service number was M24683 and he was a cook’s mate on HMS Pembroke. He left the Navy on 22 June 1919.
In 1922 he was living at 25 Bloemfontein Avenue, Hammersmith and in 1930 he had a coffee bar at 352 York Road , Wandsworth.
Miles Daines with his wife, Helen and step-daughter Joan Back
He married Helen Back (nee Miller )in 1932. She was a widow whose husband had died in 1931. She and her husband had been living at the same address as Miles in 1929. She had a daughter from her first marriage.
Miles died on 11 August 1954 in the Southern Hospital, Dartford, Kent. He and his wife Helen were living at The Diamond Bungalow, London Road, Swanley, Kent. Probate was granted to his widow and his effects were worth £2976 11s 11d.
His brother Frederick Daines lived in Foxhole, Saxlingham Thorpe and worked at the nearby fruit farm. Until the 1960s the cottages where he lived were known as Daines Cottages.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, (Absent Voters Lists 1918-1920)
London Electoral Rolls. 1916- 1919
Royal Navy Records
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar 1858-1995
Digby Family Tree www.ancestry.co.uk
England Family Tree. www.ancestry.co.uk
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk