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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 95

The campaign group of nine awarded to Colonel W. J. C. Phillips, Indian Army, late South Irish Horse & Royal Dublin Fusiliers, one of a handful of non-Royal Air Force recipients of the 'Southern Desert, Iraq' clasp

General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, S. Persia, Southern Desert, Iraq (Capt. W. J. C. Phillips.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; War and Indian Service Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1937, mounted as worn together with erased British War and Victory Medals, very fine

William Joseph Christopher Phillips was born on 7 December 1896 at St.Andrew's, Dublin. He originally started his military career as a Trooper (No. 1382) with the South Irish Horse being appointed on 11 January 1915, reports noted at the time say that he would make a good Officer and as a result of this he relinquishes his service here on the 29 April 1915. Phillips was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, on 30 April 1915 and was seconded for service with the 1st Garrison Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, on 3 October 1915. He leaves for India on 9 February 1916 arriving on 4 March. His service records show him in Poona in 1916 having completed a Physical Training course with a further course in Musketry at Satara and Bayonet training at Poona, both in 1917. Served in India firstly at Burma and joined the Reserve Battalion at Belgaum on 28 April 1918.

He was appointed on probation to a permanent Commission in the Indian Army and proceeded to join Depot 116th Mahratta Light Infantry, at Poona on 24 June 1918, and was confirmed in appointment to the Indian Army on 25 June 1919. His service papers show entitlement to a British War and Victory Medal pair for service in Persia which he carried out between 28 September 1918-7 December 1918 with the 113th Infantry, although this is not mentioned on his Medal Index Card.

He continued his service in Persia until 5 July 1920 with the 2/113th Infantry firstly with Major General Douglas and then was Assistant Provost Marshall Bushire from 6 December 1918 - 18 June 1920 where he earned the General Service Medal 1918-62 and clasp Southern Persia. Seved under Bde. General Ersmie and Bde. General Drao. He was promoted to Captain on 29 January 1920 and returned home between 5 July-1 December 1920. He returned to India and served with the 116th Mahrattas, followed by a brief spell with the Supply and Transport Corps between 21 July 1922-15 February 1924 before transferring to the 4/5th Mahratta Light Infantry between 15 February 1924-31 December 1926, he spent the whole of 1926 at Home on leave. On his return he transferred to the 3/5th M.L.I. and served with them in Southern Desert Iraq between 8 February-15 May 1928 with them where he was attached to Advanced Air Headquarters to Air Commodore Bocohill, the unit were entitled to 31 clasps and 27 GSMs for Southern Desert, Iraq.

Promoted Major on 9 March 1934, he served as Commandant with the 4th Labour Battalion between 18 August 1941-5 April 1942 under General Auckinleck.

Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 June 1942, he served with the 27/2 Punjabis between 1 June 1942-28 February 1943 and became Commandant of the 1st Battalion, Chamar Regiment the day after.

Entered the concessioned area with the 14th Army on 2 September 1943 and then served in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India 16 November 1943-15 May 1945 as Commandant 1st Chamar Regiment. The Chamar Regiment was a wartime unit created on 1 March 1943 and was disbanded in 1946, it saw service at the Battle of Kohima amongst other service in Burma and the Far East. During this period he was 'mentioned' (London Gazette 5 April 1945, refers).

His Confidential Report of 18 January-3 February 1945 fell foul of Lieutenant General A. F. P. Christison who considered:

'This Officer has not the power of control and drive, nor has he the initiative for an appointment of this kind. His statements are also not accurate, and I am of the opinion that he is unable to make the grade.'

This was seconded by Lieutenant General O. W. H. Leese:

'He has finished command and is not up to as admin appointment in a forward area. He should be employed in a static appointment under the India Command.'

Phillips followed this up with a robust defence to the statements and suggested he be placed on a Review Report and posted to an appointment which gave him a free hand with an ability to prove his capabilities. This did happen and he was sent to the Wireless Experimental Centre in New Delhi shortly afterwards, finally retiring on 23 September 1947.
As a civilian Phillips is noted as being in charge of operations during a Civil Defence exercise in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, in November 1957. He died on 29 December 1964; sold together with copied research.


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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£700