Rifleman 26156 Leo Phillips

 

Before Leo’s birth, in 1891, his parents lived at 33 Islington, Liverpool. His father was a licensed victualler, publican. The family is not found on the 1901 census.  According to a Wellington newspaper article, his father emigrated to New Zealand in 1899, and entered the building trade.

 

However, in 1911 the family, without the father, is living at 11 Calder Street, Everton. His mother Catherine, married, is head of household, Anne, 20, is a sewing machinist, Joseph is 19, a packer, Elizabeth, 18, is a shop assistant in a draper’s, Maud, 15, has no occupation, Leo, 14, and Francis, 12, are at school. It is not known when the rest of the family sailed to New Zealand.

 

As Leo’s service record has not survived, the full details are not known, but he would have been 17 years old when war was declared.  He must have lied about his age in order to serve overseas.  He enlisted in Liverpool as Private 26156, 17th (Pals) Bn, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. He would have trained locally, then at Belton Park Camp in Lincolnshire, and finally at Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain for final infantry training before being sent to the front. Leo shipped to France with his battalion, disembarking at Boulogne on 7th November 1915. 

Leo was transferred to the 18th Bn K.L.R. and later on 05th September 1917 to 1/6th Battalion KLR 

In 1917 the 1/6th Bn were in the Ypres Salient.  The Battalion War Diary records –

On 16th September 1917 the battalion moves to Vlamertinghe.  On the 18th the battalion moves up by night and assembles in the old British front line. On the 19th the battalion form up in battle position in rear of 9th KLR between BANK FARM and POMERN CASTLE … Much difficulty forming up owing to rain and darkness of the night.  

20th September – 165 Brigade attack Green line … with 9th KLR and 7th KLR to take first objective, and 6th KLR and 5th KLR to take GREEN LINE.  Zero hour 5.40 a.m.  The 9th and 6th KLR become heavily involved in the fight for HILL 35 which was finally captured after a stiff fight, the 6th consolidating strong points on HILL 35 including LENS.  …  The 1/5 Loyal North Lancs and the 1/5 South Lancs having come up to reinforce, HILL 37 was captured by them and the survivors of this Bn.   Towards dusk a strong enemy counter attack on HILL 37 was beaten off with heavy casualties to the enemy.  The battle continues on 21st and 22nd September, several strong enemy counter attacks beaten off.

Total Casualties – 

4 Officers and 25 O.R. Killed, 

1 Officer and 43 O.R. Missing, 

7 Officers and 149 O.R. Wounded.

Private Leo Phillips was one of those killed in action on 20th September 1917 aged 20 years..  His body was never recovered from the battlefield, or was subsequently lost. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, Ypres.  

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

An enquiry was made with the International Red Cross in Geneva regarding Pte. 26156 Leo Phillips, K.L.R., ‘ D’ Company, 14 Platoon, Wounded and Missing 20/09/1917.  The enquiry came from Mr. Joseph McCormick, c/o American Consulate, 140 Ince Avenue, Anfield, Liverpool.  A response was sent on 08/11/1917 that they held no information on Leo.

Leo earned his three medals.  His father received his effects, including a War Gratuity of £10-10s.

In 1928 mother with sisters Anne and Maud and brother Charles are living in Beerehaven Road, Wellington.  His parents remained in New Zealand;  his father died in 1926 aged 76, and his mother in 1936  aged 77.

 

Leo is commemorated on the following memorials-

The Catholic Institute now housed at St Edward's College, West Derby, Liverpool

Liverpool University.

 

We currently have no further information on Leo Phillips, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.