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Horace Iles from Woodhouse, Leeds, left school at 13 and worked for a short while in a local blacksmiths. His father, William Iles, had served under Lord Roberts (Bobs) in the second Afghanistan war and William had talked often about his soldiering and Victorian army life. This may have given young Horace the incentive to follow in similar footsteps.

At the age of 14; Horace was tall and looked much older than his age so when the Leeds Pals arrived on Woodhouse Moor with their recruiting tram, Horace added a few years to his age and was accepted as a new recruit.

He was sent to Colsterdale for training and then on to Egypt for six months before going to France in early 1916. He was killed alongside many of his Pals on 1 July 1916 on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

A letter his step-sister, Florrie, had written to him on 9 July was returned to her unopened marked ‘KILLED IN ACTION’. In the letter she chastises Horace for not telling his true age when enlisting.

Radio Leeds presenter, Wes Butters, speaks to Horace’s nephew, Trevor Iles and his great, great nephew, William Iles, while his great, great niece, Holly Iles, reads the letter sent from Florrie.

Location: Cemetery Road, Woodhouse, Leeds LS11 8SU
Image: Horace Iles, courtesy of his nephew, Trevor Iles
Presented by Wes Butters. Letter from Horace Iles read by Horace’s great, great niece, Holly Iles.

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