Pte 17690 Henry Phipps

• Age: 22
• From: Bootle
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 24th October 1917
• Commemorated at: Bailleul Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: III.E.92

Henry Phipps was born on 02nd November 1895 he was actually baptised as Harry on 18th December 1895 at St Mary’s Church, Bootle, the son of Henry Phipps and his wife Fanny (nee Tolson). His parents married in the third quarter of 1890.

At the time of the 1901 Census the family were living at 111 Merton Road, Bootle. The property was the Railway Hotel. Harry is 5 years of age and lives with his parents and four siblings. His father is a 33 year old licensed victualler born in Oswestry, whilst his mother is 35 years of age. His siblings are listed as; William aged 9,  George aged 4, Sarah Edith aged 2 and new born Elaine Mary. There is also a boarder present.

The 1911 Census finds the family are still at 111 Merton Road, Bootle. Harry is 15 years of age and is shown as a clerk in a bulders office and lives with his parents and seven siblings; William Henry aged 19 employed by a wine and spirits merchant, George aged 14, Sarah Edith aged 12, Elaine Mary aged 10, Alfred aged 8 , Arthur aged 6 and May aged 3. Also declared in the household is Albert MacDiarmid a 19 year old assistant in the business declared as a barman. His parents state that they have been married for 20 years and have had nine children, eight of whom have survived.

Harry enlisted on 14th September 1914 in Liverpool, joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17690. He gave his age as 19 years and 322 days old and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being 5’9¼” tall, weighing 127lbs and had a 35” chest with hazel eyes and brown hair. His religion was stated as Church of England. There were two addresses on the record for his father at 84 Cyprus Road, Bootle (crossed out) and for his mother at Great Britain Hotel, 15 King Street, Egremont.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

Harry's service records show:

Egremont Licensee’s Loss 

We regret to announce the death if Private Harry Phipps, K.L.R., who died from wounds received in action on Oct. 24, at the Casualty Clearing Station, France. He enlisted in September, 1914, and had been two years in France. In his 22nd year, he was educated at Bootle Secondary School, and was a keen athlete, and won several prizes for football and running. He was formerly in the marine department of Messrs. Lamport and Holt, Liverpool. He was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Phipps, of the Great Britain Hotel, King Street, Egremont. Two other sons are serving with the colours. 

Capt. and Adjt. R.W. Salisbury writes:- “I greatly regret to have to inform you of the death if your son, Private H. Phipps, in hospital, on the 24th October. He was unfortunately wounded early in the morning of the same day by a shell whilst in the performance of his duties. We all of us feel the loss of one of one of our best men. For a long time he had been employed at Battalion headquarters, and besides being extremely useful at his work, he was always a cheerful and brave soldier. Please accept the sympathy of both the officers and men of his Battalion in your bereavement”.