Name
Hubert Henry Phillips
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/10/1915
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Leicestershire Regiment
7th Bn., attached 3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
V. B. 20.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hertford Grammar Memorial - now Richard Hale School, Hertford, Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield
Pre War
Hubert’s father was William John Phillips, recorded as a Clerk and home was Roe Green, Hatfield. Hubert was born on 10th September 1893, the son of William and Madeline Phillips.
In the 1901 Census: Hubert (Herbert on census) was 7 and living with parents and siblings in Newtown, St Albans Road, Hatfield, (by Union Lane). William was recorded as an insurance clerk.
He attended Hertford (Hale's) Grammar from 26th January 1905 to 30th July 1912. While there he was captain of the cricket and football teams, head boy school (1911-12) and was Colour Serjeant in the Officer Training Corps.
By 1911 the family was now at Rosebank, Chantry Lane, Roe Green, Hatfield. Father, William now a principal clerk in life insurance office.
After Hubert left school to become an accountant.
Wartime Service
He was in the 2nd Battalion of Leicestershire Regiment attached to the 3rd Batt. He was promoted to Lieutenant and that was announced in the London Gazette on 8th September 1914.
He was wounded near Armentieres on the 13th November 1914 and was confirmed Lieutenant in December 1914. He was wounded in action near Loos between September 25th and 26th September and died of his wounds in October.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of October 1914, in the second list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Phillips, Hubert, Lieut. – Roe Green – 3rd Leicestershire Regiment.” and in December 1914: “Lieutenant Hubert Philips......has been wounded.....Lt. Philips is at Boulogne Hospital.” and finally recorded in November 1915: “Died of wounds Lt. Hubert Philips. Since our last issue, we have to mourn the loss of Lieutenant Hubert Phillips...............Hubert Phillips was wounded earlier in the war and went out again in the summer to re-join his regiment. He was dangerously wounded in the advance of September 25th and was taken to a hospital in France where, to the lasting grief of his parents and family he succumbed to his wounds. Great sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Phillips over the loss of their gallant son, always distinguished in work and play throughout his schooldays and every inch a soldier during his brief span of military service.”
British War Medal, victory Medal, 1914/15 star
Additional Information
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Phillips (Mother) of Rosebank, Roe Green, received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Eddie Roche - Richard Hale School, Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk), www.ourhertfordandware.org.uk
