Pam Giles is a descendant of Edward Giles.

Edward Peter Giles born 21 July 1812 in Walton on Thames, Surrey, England.

The son of Peter Giles and Elizabeth Hone he was the second of thirteen children. He married Elizabeth Anna Hole on 1 Feb 1834 in St Bride Fleet St, London England. They travelled to Australia, with his brother George Betts Giles, in 1839 on the "Duchess of Northumberland".

Edward and Elizabeth had 10 children:

1. Edward Joseph Giles born 20 July 1835 in Middlesex, St Geroge Camberwell, England;


2. Walter Sedgewick Giles born 3 July 1836 in Spitalfields Christ Church, Stepney, England (died on 17 Sept 1839 at sea);


3. Robert Charles Giles born 1838 in England;


4. James Francis Giles born 21 Feb 1841 in Noarlunga, SA;


5. Alfred Giles born 5 March 1843 in Noarlunga, SA;


6. George Frederick Giles born 10 August 1845 in Noarlunga, SA;


7. Peter Nelson Giles born 24 March 1847 in Noarlunga, SA;


8. Priscilla Anna Giles born 24 March 1849 in Noarlunga;


9. William Charles Giles born 31 July 1851 in Noarlunga SA;


10. Decimus Giles born 1853 in Noarlunga SA.

Elizabeth Anna Giles died on 4 May 1861 aged 46 years.

After Elizabeth's death Edward returned to the UK to collect Joseph Hole's inheritance. Whilst there he worked at Surrey as a Surveyor. He ventured to Canada where he stayed for 4-5 years (1871-1875) after which he returned to England where he married Matilda Patchett in 1879. Matilda was born on 31 March 1839 in Wotton-under-Edge and was 27 years younger than Edward. He died 17 June 1909 in Crafers, South Australia. Matilda died 11 years later on 15 June 1920 in South Australia.

Edward Giles purchased land in South Australia in 1843 and was employed at one time as the Government surveyor. He surveyed with geologist Johann Menge who was exploring areas north of South Australia and was responsible for carrying out the Lyndoch area land survey in the Barossa Valley - 100km north of Adelaide. With Messrs Alford and Mole he explored the far north of South Australia to Angapina, Mount Serle (a station 400 miles from Adelaide).

In 1860 he wrote "The Aborigines of South Australia", his reminiscences from 30 years of observation while living in Australia.

Image courtesy of the State Library of South Australia: B 59862.