Pte 57943 Albert Phillips

• Age: 32
• From: Great Missenden
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 18th September 1917
• Commemorated at: Kemmel Chateau Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: F.11

Albert Phillips was born in the June quarter of 1885, the eldest son of George and Emma Phillips of Prestwood, Great Missenden, Bucks. His mother’s name is shown as Louisa on the censuses of 1891 and 1911, but as Emma in 1901 and on his CWGC certificate.  

He transferred to the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 57943  and was killed in action on the 18^th September, 1917 aged 32. 

He now rests at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“PEACE PERFECT PEACE WITH LOVED ONES FAR AWAY IN JESUS KEEPING WE ARE SAFE & THEY”

Kemmel Chateau was north-east of Kemmel village and the cemetery was established on the north side of the chateau grounds in December 1914. It continued to be used by divisions fighting on the southern sectors of the Belgian front until March 1918, when after fierce fighting involving both Commonwealth and French forces, the village and cemetery fell into German hands in late April. The cemetery was retaken later in the year, but in the interval it was badly shelled and the old chateau destroyed. There are now 1,135 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery and 21 from the Second World War (which all date from the Allied withdrawal ahead of the German advance of May 1940). The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

During the research into Albert Phillips a remarkable story emerged concerning an abandoned cricket match in August 1914 with the rematch 100 years later. Albert was a fast bowler who played in the original game.

'War stops play' cricket match finally completed

The original match between Lee CC and Manor House CC was abandoned on August 3, 1914, due to rain and with war being declared the following day players from both sides, expecting hostilities to be over by Christmas, said they would conclude the match when the fighting was over. The game was never revisited after three of the players were killed in action and others were left severely injured by the fighting.

Albert Phillips and brother’s Arthur and Ralph Brown, who were in The Lee's team that day, were among the 30 men from the village who lost their lives.

The rematch took place 100 years later.

The names of the fallen servicemen were read out during a roll call during the tea interval of Sunday's match, which also included a minute's silence and the playing of the Last Post by a bugler.

The club's life president Elizabeth Stewart-Liberty , whose father-in-law Ivor was the captain of the original Manor House side’ gave a speech to commemorate the fallen during tea.

She said: "It was a great success, well attended but very sad. It will remain in the memories as we salute those gallant men who gave their yesterdays for our tomorrows. It was a very emotional day and the right thing to do in memory of those men, many of whom were slain."

A minute’s silence was observed ahead of the rain-delayed match, with the players having to come off again when the heavens opened and threatened to bring an early end to the match.

Manor House batted first and reached 180-6 off 35 overs. When Lee C.C. batted they were all out 11 runs shy of their target.

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