CQMS 22810 Arthur Phillips

• Age: 35
• From: Malpas, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

22810 CQMS Arthur PHILLIPS, 20^th Battalion, KLR.

Arthur Phillips was born in Malpas, Cheshire on 23rd March 1881, the son of James Phillips and his wife Ann (nee Tudor) who were married in 1880, registered in Whitchurch. Arthur was baptised in Malpas Parish Church on 03rd April 1881, his father a labourer of Edge, near Malpas. 

On 12th April 1904, Arthur married Mary Bebb Ryder in New Brighton Parish Church. They had four children, James Arthur, born 30th July, 1905 in Crewe, Nancy Mary born 2nd May 1907 in Crewe, Harry Stanley born 31st January 1909 in Wrenbury and Kathleen Louise born 14th August 1913 in Wallasey. 

By 1911, Arthur, aged 30 years, is a police sergeant in Cheshire Constabulary living in the police station at 1 Hope Street, New Brighton. On the 1911 Census his widowed father James is aged 65 and is living with his married son Walter at Beacon Lodge, Chelford, near Macclesfield. His place of birth has now changed to Chowley, near Chester.   

He had also served with the 1^st Volunteer Battalion of the North Staffs Regiment and when Arthur enlisted in Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment on 18th November 1914, and this experience was recognised, he was immediately promoted to the rank of Sergeant and by December was promoted to CQMS. He was described as being six feet one inch tall, weighed 194lbs, 40” chest, with good physical development, fresh complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England. His next of kin was his wife Mary, of 69 Withens Lane, Liscard. 

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th 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. 

20^th Battalion

Maricourt

Zero Hour 7.30am. After 65 minutes intensive bombardment the Battalion advanced to the attack of the German trenches. The Battalion advanced in four lines each of the two leading Companies on a frontage of 2 platoons – No’s 1 & 2 Companies (in that order from the right) leading. No.3 Company in the 3^rd wave. No.4 Company in the 4^th wave. There being a distance of about 100 yards between each line. The lines advanced through the enemy’s artillery fire as though on parade in quick time. The leading waves went on without a pause to Alt Trench and Casement Trench which were secured at (time not stated) am. The casualties up to this being small. Our barrage lifting Dublin Trench (the 1^st Objective) was captured and consolidation immediately proceeded with. Captain Whiting with the 3^rd wave entrenching about 150 yards in the rear. Captain Robinson was wounded and No.2 Company was commanded during the day by Lt C P Moore. Casualties up to now were killed 2 officers – 1 wounded and 49 other ranks casualties killed and wounded. At 11.50 am orders were received for the assault of the Briqueterie. The Battalion operation orders for this were issued from NW of Germans Wood. Our barrage lifted at 12,30 pm and No. 4 Company under Captain E C Orford assisted by a section of bombers under 2^nd Lt Baker who went up Nord Alley and Chimney Trench to secure his left flank, who had got right forward under cover of the fire of our guns rushed it almost without opposition. On the far side a party of the enemy were found in deep dug-outs. They brough a machine gun into action and some close fighting ensued in which Lt Gooch and Lt Williams were wounded. Opposition was however speedily overcome and the garrison consisting of the H.Q. of a Regt, one Colonel and 4 other officers – 40 rank and file , 2 machine guns together with maps, orders, documents and material fell into our hands. Steps were immediately taken for consolidating the ground won, which however owing to the destruction wrought by our “heavies” was a matter of great difficulty, what had been trenches being almost unrecognisable as such and the earth so pulverised that cover could only be made by aid of sandbags. The garrison was heavily shelled through the afternoon and most of the night and casualties were many. Battalion H.Q. were at the junction of Glatz Alley and Casement Trench north west of Germans Wood and this together with Dublin Trench received considerable attention from enemy guns. Casualties during the day 2 officers killed (2^nd Lts F Barnes and JC Laughlin) and 3 wounded (Captain H H Robinson, Lt S Gooch and 2^nd Lt F J Williams). 75 other ranks killed and wounded.       

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on 20th July 1916:

"Offical notification of the death in action of C.Q.M.S. A.Phillips,who was formerly inspector in charge of the New Brighton division of the Wallasey police has been received. Inspector Phillips was a finely built man,standing well over 6 feet,and was one of the most popular members of the force. A native of Malpas,Cheshire, he joined the constabulary some 14 years ago. For six years he has been stationed at New Brighton,and was promoted from the rank of sergeant to that of inspector some three years ago, when Wallasey took over its own force. He came to the district from Tarporley, and has three brothers in the Cheshire Constabulary. In November,1914, he joined the Liverpool Pals with the rank of sergeant, and shortly afterwards was promoted company quartermaster sergeant. He saw active service last year, and was home on leave some nine weeks ago. The offical communication states that he was killed in action on July 1st. He leaves a widow and four children, to whom the deepest sympathy of his colleagues and friends is extended. This is the second Wallasey police officer to fall, the other one being Second-Lieut.R.Drakeley, who was killed in Mesopotamia, and who was formerly a clerk at the Liscard Police Office." 

Arthur's body was not re covered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. 

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

After the war his widow received received his soldiers effects and a pension of 26s and 6d a week for herself and four children with effect from 15th January 1917.

On the relatives statement dated 02nd February 1920 his father was still alive in Edge Green, Malpas but his mother was deceased. His widow, Mary, states that she was living at 49 Ling Street, Kensington, Liverpool. CWGC give the address as 108, Salisbury Road, Wavertree, Liverpool. 

Arthur is also remembered on the following Memorials:

Wallasey War Memorial (Roll of Honour now in Wallasey Library, Earlston Road)

Wallasey War Memorial, located in the hospital on Mill Lane, Wallasey

 St Cyprian with Christ Church, Durning Road, Liverpool.

Liverpool Hall of Remembrance Panel 54

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