Lilian Giles (12 Sep 1922 - 8 May 2021)

In loving memory of Lilian Giles who sadly passed away on 8th May 2021

Born on the 12th September 1922, in Mile End, East London, Lily was the third youngest of 12 children. At the age of 5, her mother died, leaving the family in the care of her father and later her stepmother. During the early part of the Second World War, Lily was engaged to RAF Flight Sergeant George Garwood, a Wireless Operator with 90 Squadron. In 1941 he was tragically killed during a test flight in a B17 aircraft.

Shortly after, Lily joined the WAAF and was posted amongst other places to RAF Scampton as an RTO and was on duty the night of the famous Dam Busters Raid. After volunteering to serve abroad, Lily was posted to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), where she worked as a teleprinter operator until the end of the war, returning home in 1946.

In 1948 she married George Giles and in 1950 they had their only son, Robert. In 1952 they moved from their flat in Forest Gate to Southend on Sea. Here she had many happy times with family, friends and neighbours.

Robert married in 1974 and she was delighted to become a grandmother to Darren in 1978. Tragedy then struck for a third time when Robert passed away in 1979, after battling cancer.

In 1998 Lily and George celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary and 4 years later their 80th birthdays. In October 2007 her beloved husband George sadly passed away.

Despite having had more than her fair share of tragedy, Lily never made a fuss and remained cheerful, stoic and appreciative of everything people did for her, right up to the end of her very long life.

She always made an impression on everyone who met her, recounting stories and escapades from the war, voicing her opinions on current affairs and the state of the Royal Family , all with a cheeky twinkle in her eye. She loved nothing more than a good chat, a bit of a giggle and most of all… a really good cup of tea.

Lily passed away peacefully at the grand age of 98. She will be very much missed by all who knew her, but certainly never forgotten.