Private Harold Marles
Harold Marles was born on 20 July 1896 in Duddleston, Birmingham, one of six children of baker Charles Henry Marles and his wife Emily. By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 32 Burton Road, Sedgley, Staffordshire, with his parents and two of his three surviving siblings, and working as a butcher.
Marles enlisted in the 3rd (King's Own) Hussars at Birmingham on 18 January 1915 (No.19901). He embarked for France to join his regiment between 1916 and 1917.
On 11 October 1917 Marles was one of thirty men of the 3rd Hussars who were transferred to the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment. He was issued regimental number 2727. The following January he was one of sixteen men of the 1st North Irish Horse who transferred to the Tank Corps (No.305667).
Following training at the Tank Corps Depot at Bovington near Wareham, Dorset, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion. This battalion saw action during the Advance to Victory offensive at Amiens from 8 to 11 August, Albert on 23 August, and Epheny on 18 September.
Marles remained with the Tank Corps until discharged to the B Reserve on 17 January 1922 (paragraph 497 (viii) King's Regulations). His military character was recorded as 'good'.
Following his discharge Marles found employment at a gas works. On 22 June 1935 he married Annie Elizabeth Walker at St Andrew's Church, Bordersley, Warwickshire. By 1943 he was living at Tealby Grove, Selly Oak, Birmingham. He died on 9 November that year.