His father's trade (which commenced about 1880) was that of a draper and this business was carried out at 85 Queen Street, Newton Abbot until about 1904. The family then moved to Exeter, Devon. The Exeter Street Directory first shows Ralph's mother, Mrs Louisa Giles at 12 Eaton Place, Heavitree Road, Exeter in 1905. She is described as letting apartments at that address. His father is now a bookseller. By 1908 they had moved to 11 Eaton Place, an adjacent property at which she continued to let rooms. The property still exists, now known as 17 Heavitree Road, Exeter. It is probable that Ralph Giles lived with his parents in Exeter from 1905, but for how long is not clear.

Giles was lodging at 10 Gunterstone Road, West Kensington, London prior to boarding the Titanic at Southampton as a second class passenger (ticket number 248726, £13 10s). His reason for travelling on the Titanic remains a mystery.

Giles died in the sinking, his body was recovered by the MacKay Bennett