Thomas Phillips
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Thomas was the son of Charles Henry and Mary Bradley Phillips (née Chadwick). Charles Henry was born in Kirkby in Ashfield in 1847, the son of Thomas, a farmer, and Sarah Phillips. He was baptised at Kirkby in Ashfield parish church on 13 March 1847. His mother Mary Bradley Chadwick was born in Pinxton, Derbyshire, in 1849. They were married in Kirkby in Ashfield St Wilfrid on 12 April 1871 and had nine children, three of whom died before the 1911 Census. Eight children have been traced from census returns and birth registrations: Charles birth registered 1872 (J/F/M); Elizabeth Mary b. 1873; Thomas b. 1875 (O/N/D) d. 1876 (O/N/D); Jane b. 1877; Thomas b. 16 January 1882; George b. 1884 (J/A/S) d. 1902 (J/F/M); Sarah Ann b. 18 August 1887 and William Henry birth registered 1890 (J/F/M). In 1881 Charles (34), a tea dealer, his wife Mary (32) and their three surviving children Charles (9), Elizabeth (7) and Jane (3), were living on Blidworth Road, Kirkby in Ashfield. Charles and Mary had moved to Fulwood Road, Huthwaite, Sutton in Ashfield, by 1891; Charles was a farmer and draper. In the home on the night of the census were their seven children: Charles who was working on the farm, Elizabeth and Jane who were both at home, Thomas (9), George (6), Sarah (3) and William (1). Charles and Mary were living at the same address for the next two census. By 1901 only three children, George (who died the following year), Sarah and William, were in the home with their parents on the night of the census. Elizabeth was living in Wetton, Staffordshire, where she was housekeeper to an aunt, Jane Phillips (90), while Thomas was a draper's assistant and living in Hinckley with his employer, James Franklin and his wife. By 1911 only Jane, a cook domestic, and Sarah were living with their parents, although Sarah married Richard H Bacon in 1918. Thomas has not been traced on the 1911 Census and it is likely that he had already emigrated to Canada. There is a Thomas Phillips (25), single, occupation labourer, recorded on the passenger list of a ship saling from Liverpool to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 27 March 1907. His mother Mary probably died in 1917 (J/F/M) and her husband Charles on 17 January 1929; he was still living at Fulwood.
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion (Saskatchewan Regt.) Thomas attested in Winnipeg, Canada, on 14 January 1915. He named his father, of Fulwood Road, as his next of kin. Thomas was killed in action on 6 June 1916 and it is possible that his death was not confirmed until the following year as he was commemorated at a memorial service in Huthwaite parish church in June 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium (Panels 32-34).
Thomas was commemorated at a memorial service at Huthwaite parish church in June 1917. Mansfield Reporter, 29 June 1917: ‘Huthwaite Memorial Service. Five Local Heroes Honoured. At the Parish Church on Sunday morning a beautiful and impressive memorial service was conducted to the memory of five local men who have made the supreme sacrifice. Their names are: Lance-Corporals E Hower [Bower], (N/Staffs), A Weston (KRR), and Ptes Geo. Stubbins (Sherwood Foresters), H. Burton and T Phillips (both of the Canadian Contingents). Particulars of their lives have separately appeared in these columns during the last few weeks. At the service, which was conducted by the Rev. FN Beswick, every possible mark of affection and respect was shown to the memory of the departed heroes … The Union Jack was at half mast on the church tower throughout the day. There was a numerous gathering of mourners, but the general public was poorly represented, a downpour of rain probably militating against a large congregation. As the choir proceeded to their places, the organist, Mr JP Morley, played a brief funeral voluntary improvised by himself and the two special Psalms were the 39th and the 130th, and appropriate lessons. Stainer’s familiar anthem, ‘What are these arrayed in white robe?’ was chosen … The two hymns were ‘Lord as to Thy dear Cross we flee’ and ‘For all the Saints who from their labours rest.’ The text was ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’ and the rev. gentleman delivered a touching, but compelling sermon, remarking that the words were especially appropriate at this time … The names of all from the parish who have fallen in the war were read out, and the service ended with the Dead March from Saul, and Beethoven’s Funeral March.; (www.britishnewspaperarcive.co.uk)
