I wondered if someone has or can find information on a Peter Church who was in the 36th division of the Chindits. I thought he married a Verity Iles born in India & married in Kohima on 19/12/1944. The only match I can find is a Elizabeth Verity Iles born in India & married in India in 1944 but according to Wikitree married Peter Francis Henry Reeve born 1921 Dublin. I believe Peter Church & Verity Iles married in the Chapel, 35th milestone on Imphal Road & Peter's headquarters wasDharamsala, I forgot to mention that Verity was a V.A.D. nurse. Also, I am seeking information on Harry (sorry no surname) an ex-tea planter who became a ghurka & in charge of I.S.L.U who married a V.A.D. nurse called Dorothy in Assam between 1944 & 1946. Harry had a friend called Findlayson & they lived near Tinsukia. I realise that these details are very sketchy, but any help would be appreciated.
From Ancestry Timothy Reeve in the England, Andrews Newspaper Index Cards, 1790-1976 Name: Timothy Reeve Birth Date: 3 Oct 1945 Birth Place: Kangra, NW Punjab, India Father's name: P F H Reeve Mother's name: Verity Iles There is also 1 public tree: Elizabeth Verity Iles Birth: 5 Jul 1921 Death: Jan 1984 - Winchester, Hampshire, England and 2 private trees: Elizabeth Verity Iles Birth: 1921 - India one of the trees is called Iles family tree and has 5 attached records TD
Have found quite a bit on Elizabeth V Iles, but, as yet, no birth or marriage details, will keep looking. You may find the following immigration records of interest as it links her with India and her possible family. ‘City of Exeter’ arrived London from Calcutta on 5 May 1923, aboard were Iles Alfred G, age 38, Bank agent Iles Vera H, age 26 Iles Elizabeth V, age 1 ¾ Proposed UK address, Hampton Cottage, Fairford, Gloucs Country of last permanent residence, India Country of proposed permanent residence, England Note: 1st class passengers ‘Viceroy of India’ arrived London from Bombay (via ports) on 11 March 1932, passengers who embarked at Monaco were: Iles Vera, age 35, occupation house duties Iles Elizabeth, age 9, Iles Jennifer, age 2 ½, Proposed UK address, Granby Court Hotel, 88 Queens Gate, London SW7 Country of last permanent residence, England Country of proposed permanent residence, England Note: 2nd class passengers ‘Maloja’ left London 23 Sep 1932 for Brisbane Iles Alfred, age 47, bank official Iles Vera, age 35, Iles Jennifer age 3 Last address in UK, Merrow, Grange Hotel, Guildord Country of proposed permanent residence, India ‘Otranto’ arrived Plymouth from Brisdane 31 July 1935, passengers who embarked at Palma Iles Mr AG, age 50, Banker Iles Mrs VH, 38 Iles Miss EV, 14 Iles Miss JA, 6 Proposed UK address Mr AG was ‘Imp Bnk India’, presumably who he worked for, rest of family 25 Old Broad ST, London Country of last permanent residence, India Country of proposed permanent residence, England Also record for Mr AG Iles leaving London for Calcutta 11 Dec 1909, no family members. In the 1939 Register (census carried out 29 September 1939): 38, Queens Gate, Kensington Iles Vera H, female, married, dob 29 Oct 1896, occupation Private means Clayton Castle, Cuckfield, Sussex Iles Alfred G, male married, dob 22 Feb 1885, stockbroker & retired bank official Iles Elizabeth V, female, single, dob 5 July 1921 As you may have realised they are plenty around here who love a genealogical challenge so this may help to prove or disprove if this is the person you are seeking.
OK, there was an Elizabeth Verity Iles born and baptised in 1921 in Secunderabad, Madras. Unfortunately father and or mother not named. Information from archive reference N-2-130, British India Office births & Baptisms. Nothing found for just Verity, but that doesn’t mean anything. In 1901 census looks like Alfred G Iles (16) was a boarder living Llanelly, Wales, occupation given as bank clerk and he was born Fairford, Gloucestershire. The birth register suggests it may have been Alfred Gordon. He died 6 April 1952 at St Mary Abbotts Hospital with administration being granted to his widow Vera Harding Iles. His last address was Dawliffe Hall, 2 Chelsea Embankment. Can’t find anything for Elizabeth Verity Church or Verity Church. However, have found: First name(s) Vera Harding Last name Iles Initials V H Rank VAD Other rank Clerk Certificate number 15747 Department Voluntary Aid Detachment Passport number WAR OFFICE Destination France Record set British Red Cross Register of Overseas Volunteers 1914-1918 Category Military, armed forces & conflict Subcategory Regimental & service records Collections from Great Britain You mentioned the nursing connection.
Expanding on the ‘Reeve’ name that you mentioned and that TD’s found some detail on: London, England Death notices from the Times, 1982 – 1988 Name: Verity Reeve Death date: 25 Dec 1983 Published date: 29 Dec 1983 Spouse: Lt C Peter Reeve There is a Probate record Reeve, Elizabeth Verity of Morleys Ampfield Romsey Hants died 25 Dec 1983 Administration Winchester 24 Feb 1984. Death Register states she was born 5 Jul 1921. Royal Artillery Offices deaths Lt Col Peter Francis Henry Reeve Born 1921 Age 89 Death 5 May 2010 Winchester Death Register states he was born 3 Feb 1921, Probate granted 21 July 2010 Winchester. I appreciate that I am drifting a long way from your original search for Peter Church, so perhaps you could expand a little on what you know about him? Why do you think he married Verity Iles, you give a very precise location and date? The only military fact I can find for a Peter Church is a Royal Artillery attestation for 1937, service No. 875599. There are some notes: ‘CD/AA’ ‘60AA’ ‘To RAC 28/11/48’ ‘28/11/48 Re-enlist 22241745’
Alibaba, I had a look through all my files, but have not come across Peter Church's name in relation to the Chindits I'm afraid. However, this is hardly surprising as there were around 30,000 personnel within the 7 Chindit Brigades over the two operations in 1943 and 1944. Steve
The information is from the book 'Sister Sahibs@ By Marian Robertson a V.A.D. nurse. In the book she mentions Peter Reeve & Peter Church. She I think was born in Dhaka & said that Peter Church came from her village. Thank you for your reply.
