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Auction: 21103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction 4
Lot: 328

A 1915 Great War M.C. group of five awarded to Major F. G. P. Philips, Leinster Regiment, later the Shropshire Light Infantry and Manchester Regiment, who served in France and Macedonia only to be invalided away from the Front before the Armistice

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, the two date clasps both tailor's copies (Capt. F. G. P. Philips. Leins: Rgt:); 1914-15 Star (Major F. G. P. Philips. Shrops. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major F. G. P. Philips.) lacquered, good very fine (5)

M.C. London Gazette 23 June 1915.

Francis George Prescot Philips was born in 1874, the son of Reverend George Henry Philips of Abbey Cwmhir, Radnorshire. He attended Eton and New College, Oxford where he is decided as 'an all-round sportsman and rowed in his college boat' (Western Mail, 1 August 1932, refers). He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th (Militia) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry on 23 February 1898.

Philips joined the Boer War as a Staff Officer under the District Commandant attached to the 1st Battalion, Leinster Regiment. On 11 April 1900 he was promoted to the rank of Captain in the Shropshire Light Infantry, though he remained attached to the Leinster Regiment. This unit arrived at the Cape on 10 May 1900 and operated in the vicinity of Hammonia for several months. While here they suffered from a severe lack of supplies, in particular food. In October 1901 they moved to Vrede where they acted as a garrison for some time. They faced action on 8 April 1902, at Bethlehem, suffering casualties of fourteen men wounded. After the war Philips reverted to the Militia, and transferred to the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry on 31 May 1908.

He was still a member of this Regiment when he left for the Western front on 2 January 1915, although he served attached to the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment. They were intensely engaged around Ypres and Loos over the course of 1915. Philips was awarded his M.C. on 23 June 1916, earning a Mention in Despatches to go with it (London Gazette 22 June 1915, refers). Advanced Major on 26 August 1916, Philips went on to serve on the Macedonian Front at Salonika before falling ill and being evacuated just prior to the end of hostilities (Western Mail, 1 August 1932, refers).

He relinquished his commission on 31 December 1924. In civilian life Philips inherited his father's estate, living at The Hall, Abbey Cwmhir, Radnorshire. He proved an enthusiastic farmer as well as serving as a Justice of the Peace for the Cefnllys Division and a Sheriff of Radnorshire. Francis George Prescot Philips died unmarried on 31 July 1932.

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Sold for
£1,500

Starting price
£800