The present order of the papers reflects that imposed by Admiral Miles. All parts of this naval career feature, starting with examination reports from the Naval College and ending with papers relating to his appointment as commander-in-chief of the Royal Indian Navy. The papers include top secret correspondence, reports, directives, intelligence reports, photographs, newspaper cuttings, honours, and certificates. The correspondence includes several letters from Lord Louis Mountbattern.

Administrative / biographical background
Miles entered HMS BRITANNIA as a cadet in 1905. He went to sea as a midshipman in the following year, and by 1911 was a lieutenant. He served on submarines and destroyers during the First World War. After being promoted to captain in 1931 his commands at sea included the minesweeper HMS PANGBORNE, the destroyer HMS CODRINGTON, the cruiser HMS DRAGON, and the battleship HMS NELSON. He was in command of the latter vessel entering Loch Ewe in 1939 when she became one of the first ships to strike a magnetic mine. His later appointments were Head of the Military Mission to Moscow, 1941-1943; Flag Officer Commanding Western Mediterranean, 1944-1945; and Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Navy, 1946-1947. Miles was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral in 1941, vice-admiral in 1944 and admiral in 1948. He was placed on the retired list in April 1948.