Trafford

Born as Edmund Otto GEILER on the 11th May 1894, the birth being registered
during the June quarter 1894 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/190, the
third son of Hermann Heinrich & Anna Marie Geiler (nee Lodholz).  They
married at the Chorlton on Medlock Registry Office, during the December
quarter 1889 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/1172.

Hermann's first marriage was to a Lucy HOUSLEY that took place at St.
Margaret's P.C., Whalley Range, during the December quarter 1877 in the
Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/1039.  At the time of the 1881 Census they were
residing at Northern Grove, Didsbury with their 2 young children and 1
servant.   Lucy, who was born at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, died in 1888,
aged: 43.

It appears from the Naturalisation's published in the Jewish Chronicle
between 1902 and 1906, that on the 4th January 1903 Hermann became a
Naturalised British Citizen under the The Jewish Naturalisation Act 1753.

1891 Census - Still not yet born, but his father has now remarried and
Otto's parents, 5 siblings and 2 servants were residing at Thornlea, Wardle
Road, Sale.  His father was born at Baden and his mother at Wurtemburg,
Germany.

1901 Census - Thornlea, Wardle Road, Sale.     Son - aged: 6 - born: Sale. 
 Head of household - Hermann Geiler - Married - aged: 47 - occ: Machinery
Export Merchant - born: Germany (German Subject).   Also - Anna Geiler -
Wife - aged: 40 - born: Germany (German Subject).    Plus 6 siblings, all
born in England.  Household included 3 domestic servants.

1911 Census - Giggleswick School, Settle, Yorkshire.     Pupil - aged: 16 -
born: Sale.

His father, 5 siblings and 3 domestic servants were then residing at 19
Wardle Road Sale - a 20 roomed house - no trace of his mother ?

Attended Sale Grammar and Giggleswick Schools.  His chief recreation was
music and was an accomplished pianist.     Member of Manchester University
OTC

Because of the anti-German feelings at the time, he enlisted on the  9th
November 1915 in the Scottish Horse under the name of Edmund HOUSLEY,
(adopting his father's first wife's surname).   He rose to the rank of
Sergeant Instructor - No. 6481.  He transferred to the 1/6th (Perthshire)
Battalion, Royal Highlanders reverting to the rank of Private and was
drafted to the front in January 1917.     Invalided home in April 1917 and
returned to the front in January 1918.   Initially reported as missing on
the 21st March 1918, but subsequently died of wounds five days later whilst
a POW.

Death reported in the 12/07/1918 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

His obituary from the School Chronicle, 1918:  L/Corpl. E. Housley. 17th
Black Watch.

"It is with great regret that we have to record the death of O.E.Geiler,
who enlisted in the Scottish Horse early in 1915 under the name of HOUSLEY.
He rose to the rank of Sergeant in this Corps but on transfer to the Black
Watch reverted to private, and went out to France in 1917.   After being
invalided home for a time he returned to France this year and his unit was
between Bapaume and Cambrai on the 21st March, from which date he was
reported 'missing'.   The Red Cross has since reported that he died on the
battlefield on the 26th March 1918, the second day of the final German
offensive of the War.

Geiler entered the School in September, 1908, and left in July, 1912, and
although he reached no conspicuous position in School life, those who knew
him will always remember his quiet cheeriness and quaint humour.   He loved
the School with a devotion that perhaps only those who knew him best fully
realised. While he, least of all, would like much said of him, any
appreciation would be incomplete without reference to his love of music.  
He delighted us many times at the piano and was one of the natural tenors
so rare in the School choir.

He will be greatly missed by a wide circle of friends, and to his sorrowing
family and fiancee we extend our heartfelt sympathy."

Commemorated on the main Sale U.R.C. Memorial and on the Roebuck Lane
Section of the Sale U.R.C. Sunday School Memorial as E. Otto Geiler. 
Listed as Edmund O. Geiler HOUSLEY on the CWGC web-site.  SDGW records his
Christian name as Edward.

There is a Memorial Plaque in the Manchester Crematorium in the form of a
cross, that lists Edmund and Fred Geiler together with his father - Hermann
Geiler.   It states:- " Edmund Otto GEILER. 16 Black Watch. 3rd son Herman
GEILER born at Sale 11. May. 1894 fell in action Cambrai (cross) March 26
1918 lain to rest. Herman GEILER of Sale d. May 31st 1920. Fred GEILER of
Hale d. 3 June 1914 aged 58. [6/4]".  The Manchester Crematorium records
were destroyed in the Manchester Blitz of December 1940.  However, the
Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society members have transcribed all
the Crematorium memorial M.Is. and newspaper reports referring to pre-1941
Manchester cremations, one of which was Edmund's.

Probate dated the 31st December 1918 at London granted to Herman Henry
Geiler (Gentleman).   Edmund died at the Field Hospital Sancourt
(south-west of St. Quentin) on the 26th March 1918.  Estate valued at
£66.

His father died in 1920, aged: 66 and his mother in 1943, aged: 72.