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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 647

(x) An unusual group of five awarded to Brigadier C. W. Phillpotts, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

1939 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oakleaves; General Service 1918-62, 3 clasps, S. E. Asia 1945-46, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya (Lt. Col. C. W. Phillpotts. R.A.O.C.), minor contact wear, very fine (5)

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 April 1946.

Charles William Phillpotts was born on 2 August 1907, the son of Sergeant David William Phillpotts, who was killed in action with the Royal Field Artillery on 21 October 1914. The younger Phillpotts was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment in 1931 and was seconded to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps on 12 May 1934. He was listed as Officer Commanding Ordnance in the Ceylon Defence Force that same year.

Having seen action in North-West Europe during the Second World War, being made Lieutenant-Colonel in 1944 and adding a 'mention' for good measure, he served in South-East Asia from 28 June-6 July 1946 on a visit to H.Q. Allied Forces Netherlands East Indies and 26th Indian Division.

He was awarded a further clasp for his service in Palestine attached to HQ 1st Armoured Brigade from 23 May-15 November 1947. His final posting was as Assistant Director Ordnance Services with Northern Command. Phillpotts is listed as retiring due to ill health with the rank as a Brigadier in 1958, however he had suffered a severe fall and a skull fracture which forced his retirement.

Moving to Spain with his wife and young daughter Phillpotts was involved in a bizarre incident when the family were stopped at the border crossing between Spain and Gibraltar. An argument about a customs bill caused a scuffle to break out in which Phillpotts’ wife struck a police officer, in an effort to prevent him hitting her husband upon his recently injured head.

In Franco’s Spain such defiance could not be tolerated and they were arrested immediately. After two days in prison the couple’s young daughter became sick and they were allowed to take her to hospital after paying bail. They immediately slipped across the border to Gibraltar, Brigadier Phillpotts described the affair as ‘rather a comic opera’.

The family settled in Southern England and Phillpotts died in London in January 1971.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£350

Starting price
£200