Part 153

=PERSSÉ, RODOLPH ALGERNON=, 2nd Lieut., Reserve Battn. The Rifle Brigade, attd. 2nd Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, only _s._ of the late Robert Algernon Perssé, of Creg Clare, co. Galway, J.P., by his wife, the Hon. Eleanor Laura Jane, née Gough (Creg Clare, Ardrahan, co. Galway), only surv. dau. of George Stephens, 2nd Viscount Gough; and grandson of the late Dudley Perssé, of Roxborough, co. Galway. D.L.; _b._ Roxborough, aforesaid, 12 May, 1892; educ. Eton and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he had just completed his second year when war broke out; obtained a commission in the Rifle Brigade, 26 Aug. 1914, joining the Reserve Battn. at Sheerness; went to France, 16 Oct.; was there attd. to the 2nd Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and was killed in action at Cuinchy, 1 Jan. following, during a night attack; _unm._ Buried there. He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. 1915. His commanding officer wrote: “He had taken his platoon to attack a position early on the morning of 1 Jan., and after the position was taken it was found to be untenable, and the whole force was ordered back to their trenches. It was here that poor Perssé was killed. He was an exceptionally gallant boy, and we shall miss him very much. I had already submitted his name for his gallant behaviour near Ypres.” A brother officer also wrote: “What a splendid, brave, cool officer he was, he never flinched or wavered in his most gallant spirit, and his absolute fearlessness and pluck were grand, and were of the greatest value to his men. He will, indeed, be sadly missed, for he made himself so popular with all ranks”; and another: “He was without exception the bravest officer I have ever seen, and the best. His men would do anything for him. This is not only my own opinion, for I know that it was shared by every officer in the mess.” He was a fine all-round athlete and a first-rate shot. He played in the Eton eleven in July, 1911. At Oxford he did well in the Freshmen’s sports of 1913; won the Magdalen Grind; rode in the Intervarsity Point-to-Point, and was whip to the Magdalen Beagles. The President of Magdalen wrote of him: “He is indeed a loss to us here, young and old. Among the first and bravest, he has given his all, even himself. His bright, vivid, daring, high-spirited chivalrous personality had endeared him to us all.”

=PERYER, ALBERT EDWARD=, Stoker, Petty Officer, 306704, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=PESKETT, CHARLES EDWARD=, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 4392, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=PETER, SAMUEL VICTOR=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 1879), 201829, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=PETO, CLEMENT HENRY=, Capt., 10th (Prince of Wales’s Own Royal) Hussars, 4th and yst. _s._ of William Herbert Peto, of Dunkinty, Elgin, by his wife, Kate, dau. of Sir Robert Palmer Harding, and grandson of the late Sir Samuel Morton Peto, 1st Bart.; _b._ London, 8 July, 1884; educ. Harrow and Sandhurst; received his commission in the 10th Hussars, 3 Feb. 1904. and was promoted Lieut. 22 Oct. 1905, and Capt. 17 Sept. 1910, passing the same year the Musketry Course at Changli Sali, also in Telephony and Hindustani, L.S. Pt. II. He served with his regt. in France and Flanders, and was killed in action while in command of C Squadron at the First Battle of Ypres, 17 Nov. 1914. The Germans had made a strong attack and he had allowed them to come within five yards of his trench, before giving the order to fire. He then led his Squadron in pursuit of the retreating enemy and was shot through the head by a sniper. The Colonel of his regt. wrote: “There was no better soldier in the Army or a better fellow than your son. Personally I was very fond of him and so was everyone in the regiment, whether officers or men. All the time he was under me I have never known him cavel, or grumble, at any order, however unpleasant.” The officer commanding the regt. on the 17 Nov. wrote that he met his death commanding his own Squadron which he had trained so well in South Africa, in repelling a fierce attack of the Germans which his Squadron repulsed with heavy loss. Private Sparks, 14th Hussars, wrote to the “Kent Messenger,” 26 Dec. 1914. “We came under a very heavy shell and rifle fire from a very short distance in front. Lord Alastair Innes Ker carried me a long way and must have been almost exhausted when I saw two officers jump out of the trench and run towards us. They dragged me to the trench by the arms. Private Saintsbury, 13th Hussars, caught me as they pushed me into the trench. One of them bound me up as well as he was able in the dark and gave me a drink from his flask. The officers were two brothers, Capt. C. and Lieut. K. Peto, 10th Hussars. Capt. C. Peto, I am sorry to say, has since been killed in the great attack on Ypres. He was a very brave officer. “He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. 1915 [London Gazette, 17 Feb. 1915], for gallant and distinguished service in the field. Capt. Peto was a great hunter and travelled from India through Kashmir and Turkestan to Siberia, accompanied only by natives, and shot splendid specimens of ovis ammion, ovis poli (51½ inches), markhor, ibex, barasingh, etc. He also shot lions in Northern Rhodesia; and rode many winners in regimental races at Rawal Pindi and Mhow (Winning Post, 12 Dec. 1914).” He was _unm._, and was buried in Ypres Cemetery.

=PETTY, FRANK=, Gunner, R.M.A. (R.F.R., B. 1171), H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=PETTY, JAMES RICHARD=, Private, No. 3199, 2/6th Battn. East Surrey Regt. (T.F.), only _s._ of Richard Petty, of 4, Cleveland Road, New Malden, by his wife, Helen; _b._ New Malden, co. Surrey, 12 June, 1880; educ. Elm Road Boys School there; was a coal porter; joined the East Surrey Territorials, 26 April, 1915; and died in the Military Hospital, Kingston-on-Thames, 31 March, 1916, from pleurisy contracted while on active service. He _m._ at New Malden Church, 3 April, 1904, Charlotte (87, Northcote Road, New Malden, dau. of William Lambden, Henley-on-Thames, and had three children; Robert James, _b._ 15 Nov. 1909; Herbert John, _b._ 25 Nov. 1912; and Dorothy May, _b._ 20 July, 1906.

=PHELAN, JOHN HENRY=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., Ch. B. 5716), S.S. 1000695, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=PHAYRE, CHARLES FREDERICK=, Lieut., 2nd Battn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, 2nd _s._ of Lieut.-Col. Richard Phayre, of Belganm, Woking, D.L., J.P., late of the Alexandra Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regt., by his wife, Frances Anne, dau. of the late John Jasper Leigh Bayly, and grandson of the late Gen. Sir Robert Phayre, G.C.B.; _b._ Bangalore, East Indies, 26 May, 1891; educ. St. Clair, Walmer; Repton, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich (Sandhurst Coy.); gazetted 2nd Lieut., Royal Munster Fusiliers, 5 Oct. 1910, and promoted Lieut. 22 April, 1914; went to France with the Expeditionary Force in Aug. 1914, and was killed in action during the retreat from Mons, on the 27th of the same month. The 2nd Battn. Royal Munster Fusiliers formed the rear guard of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, on 27 Aug., and were cut off during the retreat from Mons. They made a gallant stand and retired fighting for three hours. His Capt., who was taken prisoner, wrote: “I ordered a charge, and the company dashed forward, ‘Dicky’ well in front of the right half. We were met by a blasting fire, and numbers of the men fell. He got within 30 yards of the enemy’s trench and there was shot dead, falling with his head towards the enemy, 10 yards in front of his men. Only two men besides myself reached the trench alive.” He was buried at Etreux, with eight of his brother officers who fell in the same action; _unm._ His brother, Lieut. Richard Herbert Phayre, was killed in action at Ypres, 26 Oct. 1914 (see following notice).

=PHAYRE, RICHARD HERBERT=, Lieut., 2nd Battn. Alexandra Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regt., eldest _s._ of Lieut.-Col. Richard Phayre, of Belgaum, Woking, D.L., J.P., late of Alexandra Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regt., by his wife, Frances Anne, dau. of the late John Jasper Leigh Bayly, and grandson of the late Gen. Sir Robert Phayre, G.C.B.; _b._ Farnboro’. co. Hants, 31 March, 1890; educ. St. Clair, Walmer; Repton, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Yorkshire Regt., 11 Dec. 1909, and promoted Lieut. 1 April, 1911; went to France with the Expeditionary Force in Oct. 1914, and was killed in action during the first Battle of Ypres, on the 26th of the same month; _unm._ Buried at Gheluvelt. He was gazetted temporary Capt. after his death, 9 Dec. 1914, to rank as from 15 Nov. His brother, Lieut. Charles Frederick Phayre, was killed in action during the retreat from Mons, 27 Aug. 1914 (see preceding notice).

=PHILIPPS, IVOR JOHN DOUGLAS=, Capt., 16th (Service) Battn. Cheshire Regt., only _s._ of the late George Gray Stuart Philipps, Chamberlain to the Earl of Moray, by his wife, Mary Frances, 2nd dau. of William Hobson Moubray, of Otterston and Cockairnie, Fife, Commander R.N., J.P., D.L.; _b._ Portobello, Edinburgh, 8 July, 1882; educ. Ardvreck, Crieff; and Loretto, Musselburgh; joined the Black Watch (Militia) on 31 Jan. 1900, and in 1902 was attd. to the 3rd York and Lancaster Regt. for service in South Africa. He was awarded the Queen’s medal with two clasps, and on his return resigned his commission, but when the European War broke out, at once offered his services, and was gazetted Lieut. in the Reserve of Officers, 19 Aug. 1914. He was for some time Assistant Recruiting Officer at Birkenhead, Cheshire, and was promoted Capt. (temp.), 16th (Service) Battn. Cheshire Regt., 10 Dec. 1914. He caught a chill while on a route march, and died of double pneumonia at Prenton, Cheshire, 8 March, 1915. Letters from his brother officers speak of his intrepid courage, his capability, and the respect and affection he inspired. He _m._ at St. Mary Cathedral, Edinburgh, 9 July, 1908, Amy Constance Violet, sister of 2nd Lieut. Evan R. H. K. Macdonald (killed in action, 20 Sept. 1914, see his notice), 2nd dau. of Keith Norman Macdonald, of 21, Clarendon Crescent, Edinburgh, M.D., F.R.C.P.E., and had an only child: Reginald Ivor Carew Keith, _b._ 3 June, 1909.

=PHILIPS, JOSEPH DOUGLAS=, Lieut., 1st Battn. The Buffs, East Kent Regt., 2nd _s._ of Major James Joseph Philips, of Rosecourt, Gladstone Road, Broadstairs, late Army Veterinary Corps, by his wife, Elizabeth Mary Charlotte, dau. of James Gould, of South Norwood; _b._ Woolwich, 3 March, 1886; educ. Selhurst Park College, South Norwood, and by Army coach at Blackheath; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 1st Battn. The Buffs, 20 March, 1907, and promoted Lieut., 1 Sept. 1910; served in the West African Frontier Force in Nigeria from 9 March, 1910, for over four years; was home on leave when war began, and immediately relinquished the remainder and volunteered for field service with his regt.; rejoined at Fermoy, Ireland; went to France with the Expeditionary Force in Aug. and was killed in action whilst leading his platoon at Bois Grenier, 20 Oct. 1914; _unm._ Buried near Radinghem Ridge, about two miles from Bois Grenier. The previous day he had distinguished himself by carrying several wounded out of the trenches under fire.

=PHILLIP, HARRY=, Private, R.M.L.I. (R.F.R.), Ch. 10503, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; _m._

=PHILLIPS, CHARLES=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 3607), S.S. 101254, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=PHILLIPS EDWARD ALEXANDER=, Leading Signalman (R.F.R., Ch. B. 8614), 199553, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=PHILLIPS, EDWARD HAWTIN=, D.S.O., Major, 28th Battery Royal Field Artillery, eldest _s._ of the late John Hawtin Phillips; _b._ London, 22 Feb. 1876; educ. Wellington College; gazetted 2nd Lieut., R.A., from the Militia, 16 Jan. 1897, and promoted Lieut. 16 Jan. 1900; Capt. 11 March, 1902; and Major March, 1915, when he transferred to the R.F.A. from the R.H.A.; was Adjutant from 4 Dec. 1908 to Nov. 1909; was employed with West African Frontier Force, 22 April to 28 Oct. 1900, and again 23 Jan. 1904 to 16 Nov. 1905; served (1) with Protectorate Expedition during operations in Sierra Leone 1898–9 (medal with clasp); (2) in Northern Nigeria, 1900, with Kaduna Expedition (twice slightly wounded; mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 4 Dec. 1900] clasp); (3) in West Africa, 1900, during operations in Ashanti for Relief of Kumassi (severely wounded; again mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 4 Dec 1900]; medal with clasp; D.S.O.); (4) in South African War, 1901–2; took part in operations in Orange River Colony, Jan. to March, 1902; and in those in Cape Colony and the Transvaal in command of pom-pom Section, March to May, 1902 (wounded; a third time mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 18 July, 1902], Queen’s medal with five clasps); (5) in Northern Nigeria, 1904, during operations against the people of Semolika (medal with clasp); and (6) in command of the 28th Battery with the Meerut Division, Indian Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, 1914; was wounded in action near La Bassée during the 1st Battle of Ypres, 5 Nov. 1914, three days after reaching the front, and died at Chocques the following day; _unm._ Buried in Bethune Cemetery. The Inspector-General of Artillery (F. Mercer) wrote: “There was no man in all the Artillery which is under my control belonging to this force whom I would have selected before him for any duty which called for all the highest personal qualifications of a soldier; it was the same in India, if I wanted anything done, or tried. I always knew that it could be in no better hands than his. As a most gallant soldier and gentleman, a thorough sportsman, and a true friend, he will be very deeply regretted by the regt.; and you will, I trust, forgive me, a perfect stranger, for intruding on your grief to say how much we shall all feel his loss. It would be selfish to express my own personal sorrow, but I know that all the Artillery in India, as well as in this force, would like you to feel how very deeply we sympathise with you in your very great sorrow, and how much we shall all miss him, the best type of Artillery officer and the finest example to the boys who were fortunate enough to serve under him.” He was a keen and bold rider to hounds, and recently he took his pilot’s certificate at Brooklands for flying, notwithstanding a stiff arm and hand from having been badly mauled by a tiger in 1911, in the Central Provinces, India. His brother, Capt. R. N. Phillips, died of wounds, 27 Dec. 1914 (see his notice).

PHILLIPS, GEORGE HENRY, Private, No. Ch. 17397, Royal Marine L.I., 4th _s._ of William Henry Phillips, of 61, Blandfields Street, Balham, by his wife, Lucy Jane, yst. dau. of the late James Jewson, of Eau Brink, Norfolk; _b._ Wandsworth Common, S.W., 15 Nov. 1895; educ. Hearnville L.C.C. School, Balham, S.W.; joined the Royal Marine L.I., 29 April, 1912; went through a course of training at the Royal Marine Barracks, Deal, also Royal Marine Barracks, Chatham, and was lost in H.M.S. Cressy when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914. His three brothers, Corpl. William James Phillips, Royal Marine L.I., Gun-Layer, H.M.S. Jupiter; A.B. Eric Wilton Phillips, Gun-Layer, H.M.S. Thunderer, and A.B. Leonard Charles Phillips, Gun-Layer, H.M.S. Foyle, are all (1916) on active service.

=PHILLIPS, HENRY=, Seaman, R.N.R., 3514 A., H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=PHILLIPS, RALPH NOEL=, Capt., 2nd Battn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 2nd _s._ of the late John Hawtin Phillips; _b._ London, 26 Dec. 1877; educ. Wellington College, and Trinity College, Cambridge; gazetted 2nd Lieut., 1st R.W.F. 24 Jan. 1900, and promoted Lieut. 22 Jan 1903, and Capt. 2 May, 1910; was Adjutant, 7th Cheshire Territorials, 11 April, 1911 to 10 April, 1914, and was attached to the Chinese Regt. at Wei-hai-Wei, 3 Nov. 1904 to 1 Oct. 1906, when it was disbanded; served (1) in South Africa, 1900–2; was for sometime transport officer with Gen. Barton’s Brigade; took part in operations in the Transvaal 30 Nov. 1900 to Jan. 1902, and March to 31 May, 1902, and in those in the Orange River Colony, Jan. to March, 1902 (Queen’s medal with three clasps; King’s medal with two clasps); and (2) with the 19th Brigade, British Expeditionary Force, in France and Flanders, from 12 Aug. 1914; took part in the retreat from Mons; the Battle of the Aisne, and was wounded in action near Fleurbaix, 3 Nov. following, during the First Battle of Ypres, and died of wounds in London, 27 Dec. 1914. He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 20 Nov. 1914 [London Gazette, 17 Feb. 1915], for gallant and distinguished service in the field. Capt. Phillips _m._ at Bridgnorth, Shropshire, July, 1911, Margaret, only dau. of W. H. Farmer, of Gatacre Park, Bridgnorth; _s.p._ His elder brother, Major E. H. Phillips, died of wounds 6 Nov. 1914 (see his notice).

=PHILLIPS, STEPHEN ARLA=, Armourer, 340270, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=PHILLIPS, THOMAS HAROLD=, Private, No. 199, 2nd Light Horse, Australian Imperial Force, eldest _s._ of the late David Phillips, by his wife, Sarah (Arfyn, Picton Place, Carmarthen), dau. of Thomas Thomas; _b._ Carmarthen, 14 April, 1889; educ. Carmarthen County School; joined the Territorial Force in 1909, and served three years as Sergt. in the 7th Welsh (Cyclists) Battn., was for five years in the service of the National and Provincial Bank at Barry, co. Glamorgan, after which he went to Australia, and on the outbreak of war enlisted at Brisbane, 2 Sept. 1914; left for Egypt, 22 Sept.; went to the Dardanelles 8 May, 1915, and died 14 May, following, of wounds received in action at Anzac. Buried, Anzac Beach, Gallipoli; _unm._ His Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Col. Charles V. Stodart, wrote: “Your son has always been willing and ready to do his share of the work, and has cheerfully put up with our many hardships.”

=PHILLIPS, WILLIAM=, Private, R.M.L.I., Ports./15609, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=PHILLIPSON, ALBERT=, Stoker, Petty Officer, 174277, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=PHILLIS, HENRY JOHN=, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 5453, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=PHILPOTT, HORACE HENRY=, Stoker, 2nd Class, K. 21845, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=PHILPOTT, WALTER=, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 5016, H.M.S Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=PHIPPS, WILLIAM HEWETT=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 7552), 291888, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=PICKBURN, FRANK=, Private, R.M.L.I., Ch. 15391, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=PICKERING, EDWARD JOHN=, Leading Stoker (R.F.R., B. 4551), 293241, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=PICKERING, THOMAS GEORGE=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 3728), S.S. 101346, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=PICKERSGILL, ALBERT EDWARD=, 2nd Cooper, 294295, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; _m._

=PIDWELL, CHARLES=, A.B. (R.F.R., Ch. B. 951), 166221, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=PIDWELL, CHARLES JAMES=, Chief Shipwright, 340922, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=PIGDEN, ARTHUR RONALD=, Private, No. 9563, 1/5th Battn. (London Rifle Brigade) The London Regt. (T.F.), _s._ of George Alexander Pigden, of 23, Albert Road, Stroud Green, Hornsey, Town Councillor, by his wife, Matilda; _b._ Barnsbury, 25 Feb. 1894; educ. Stroud Green School, Hornsey County School and Clark’s College; joined the Boy Scouts in 1908, the King’s Royal Rifles Cadet Corps, 1911, and the London Rifle Brigade May, 1913. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for foreign service, left England with the L.R.B. 2 Nov. 1914, and within a week was in the trenches, where they remained over Christmas, fraternising with the Saxons who were in the trenches 80 yards in front of them that day. In April, 1915, the Regt. was resting at Armentières, when the Canadians were gassed, and they were rushed up through Ypres to their support, marching 17½ miles with full packs in 4½ hours. Writing home on 28 April, Pigden said, “Threw away all my souvenirs on march, only souvenir am now anxious about is myself,” and the following day: “Am going out to repair telephone wire under fire to-night, so cheer oh!” He was on signalling duty in a dug-out at Fortuin with four others for fifteen days, and though all other parts of the line were being hit, their little dug-out escaped until 2 May, 1915, when he was killed by the bursting of a shell; _unm._ A comrade wrote: “We were sent up to relieve the Canadians when gassed, there was a heavy bombardment going on which lasted 15 days; as you can imagine our wires were continually being broken by the shelling and it was almost an hourly occurrence for one of our five to run out and repair them, and even deliver the message by hand, we five did this perilous work in rotation, and strange to say none of us were touched while on this task, although other stations were losing heavily meanwhile. Your son was hit by a shell in the left hand on the last day before retirement, and in the afternoon another shell burst among us, I was only stunned, and ran for stretcher-bearers, but it was too late, they declared your son dead on arrival.”