Percy Phillips was born in Oswestry in 1884 to Robert and Charlotte Phillips. Percy was the seventh child and had siblings George, Robert, Mary, Sarah, Emily, Robert, John, Thomas and Ernest.  The family lived at 5 Bethel Terrace, Albert Road, Oswestry and later at 23 Castle Street. Their father, Robert, had worked for Cambrian Railways as an inspector, but by 1907 had changed to being a publican running the Unicorn Inn on Albion Hill. Percy too started work on the railway as a pointer or signalman – two of his brothers were also railway men: Robert, a porter and John, a fireman. By 1911 Percy had moved to live in London as a boarder at 26 Aldine Street, Shepherds Bush and was working as a house painter. After the death of his father in 1907, his mother moved to 67 Albert Road with Thomas and Ernest. Later they moved to 19 Beatrice Street, Oswestry.

Percy enlisted in Shrewsbury, probably in August 1914, joining the 5 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He went over to France with B Company on 22 May 1915 and was subsequently wounded twice on 9/10 August and 25 September 1915. He was killed in action on 2 February 1916 during a German Artillery bombardment of the trenches at Elverdinghe in the Ypres Salient.

In the Border Counties Advertizer, 16 January 1916 is this report of his death: ‘Killed while relieving a comrade’ –
Last week we announced in our Roll of Honour the death in action of Pte Percy Phillips 5^th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, son of the late Mr Phillips, Unicorn Inn, Albion Hill, Oswestry, formerly of the Cambrian Railways. His brother, Mr T Phillips, 6 Jennings Road, Oswestry, has since received the following letter from Captain E G Cripps, his Company Commander, under date February 5 – ‘It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your brother, Private Phillips, who was killed in action a few days ago.  He met his death while fetching in a wounded comrade, and I think I need hardly assure you that in your loss you have the sincere sympathy of all ranks of this company who knew and admired your brother as a brave and gallant soldier. I sincerely trust your sorrow may be in some degree lessened by the fact that he died as he had lived in helping those of his comrades who had fallen’.

In another letter home Lance Corporal 24296 William H Lewis – also mentions Percy and hopes to visit his grave – ‘He was buried where we now are’. However, the grave was likely lost in later fighting and Percy is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres and has no known grave. He is also commemorated on the war memorial at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry.

Percy’s brothers John and Ernest also served, both in 6 Bn KSLI

In a article in the BCA with the headline – ‘Oswestry Corporation Employee in the Service’ – it is reported that ‘Private J. Phillips, 6 Bn KSLI, formerly in the employ of the Oswestry Corporation, writing from Cowshot Camp, Pirbright, Surrey, to his mother, Mrs W Phillips, 19 Beatrice Street, Oswestry, says ‘I received your parcel all right and was well pleased with the little cakes and tobacco. We are having very rough weather here now. The gale blew our tent down this morning, about 6 o’clock. Fourteen men were in bed; there was a bit of sport getting them out. I don’t think we shall be under canvas longer than another week. We are looking forward to being at home for Christmas. I hope Bert* will be home the same time. Then we can have a days rabbiting together before we go to the front. Our officer tells us that we shall be in the firing line about March so we are busy getting ready. But I don’t think we shall see the front; we may go abroad and take some of the other’s places. I saw a trainload of wounded soldiers from the front; they are well looked after. A life in the service – the best time I ever had”  (*Bert might possibly refer to Albert Smith – see below).

Another newspaper article in BCA (September 1916) refers to Percy’s brother Ernest:– ” Phillips, Pte Ernest, KSLI. Mrs Haycocks*, 49, Albert Road, Oswestry, has received intimation that her brother, Pte Ernest Phillips, was wounded in the right leg on August 19. He is now in hospital in Gloucester. He is the youngest son of the late Mr R Phillips, inspector on the Cambrian Railways. A brother, Pte Percy Phillips was killed at Ypres a few months ago“. (*sister Mary had married Thomas Haycock in 1894).

Percy’s brother Robert was related by marriage to Private 19742 Albert Smith, and his brother Private 19743 Alfred Smith. Albert married Annie Tudor in 1915.  Robert Phillips had married Annie’s sister Martha Tudor in 1903. Annie’s daughter from her second marriage said that her mother always kept in touch with Albert’s mother, who was known to her as Granny Smith. Albert’s sister was Annie’s daughter’s godmother.

Also killed on the same day and ‘Men on the Gates’ are –  Private 18247 David Williams, and Private 10763, Bertie Annum

Acknowledgements. additional information Mrs G Croft, Rugeley. relative))

References / Sources

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