Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Wyles a baker, born 1865 in Greetham, Rutland, and his wife Annie Wyles (nee Posnett, married on the 31st July 1890 in the Parish Church, Melton Mowbray)), born 1871 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. John William Wyles was born in the 4th quarter of 1892 in Melton Mowbray, in April 1891 the family home was at Bentley Street, Melton Mowbray, also residing in the family home was John’s widowed maternal grandfather, William Posnett, a general labourer, born 1824 in Melton Mowbray and John’s maternal Uncle, John Posnett, a general labourer, born 1872 in Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 John was residing in the family home at 5, Union Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a baker, his mother and siblings, Edith Evelyn, born 1893, Catherine Annie, born 1894, Albert Laurence, born 1897 and Robert Wilfred, born 1899, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 John was employed as a grocer’s assistant and was residing in the family home at 103, Saxby Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a confectioner, his mother and siblings, Edith, a laundress, Albert, a grocer’s errand boy, Robert, a schoolboy, Margaret May, a schoolgirl, born 1902, Stanley Judson, a schoolboy, born 1906, William Ernest, born 1908 and Arthur Leonard, born 1910, the latter four siblings were all born in Melton Mowbray. Officially registered at birth as John William Wyles, he is later referred to as John Posnett Wyles. John was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
On Friday August 3rd 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – MELTON SOLDIERS DEATH. Mr and Mrs J. Wyles, 103, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray, received official notification from the War Office on Saturday morning that their eldest son, Pte. J. P. Wyles, of the Essex Regt., had died from wounds received on the 18th July in France. Deceased, who was 27 years of age, served his apprenticeship at Bells’ Stores, Melton Mowbray, and was afterwards removed to the Leamington branch, where he remained about three years before being transferred to the Leicester Market Place branch. From there he enlisted in the Leicester’s on the 11th February 1916, and after undergoing a short period of training in England was sent to France in July last year, so that he had been out about twelve months. Whilst in France he was transferred to the Lewis Gun Section of the Essex Regt. Deceased was well known in local athletic circles, having been a member of Melton Cycle Club and Thursday Half holiday Football Club, for which he kept goal. On removing to Leamington he was also goalkeeper to the Thursday Half holiday Football Club of that town. His brother Bert, who was a member of the Melton Butchers Football Club, is out at the front with the Leicester Regt, and another brother is at present training with the 7th Training Reserve Battalion.
On Friday August 17th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” The following local casualties are reported in the official list issued for publication. Wednesday’s list included the following.- DIED OF WOUNDS. ESSEX REGIMENT. Wyles, 43414 J. P. (Melton Mowbray).
On Friday July 19th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. WYLES. – In loving memory of Pte. J. P. Wyles, who died of wounds July 18th, 1917.
He has gone from among us. Oh how we miss him.
Loving him dearly, his memory we’ll keep.
Never till life ends shall we forget him.
Dear to our hearts is the place where he sleeps.
From Father, Mother, and Family.