Joseph was the first husband of my Paternal Grandmother. Without his sacrifice, my Grandmother would not have married my Grandfather and I would not be here today. I owe him a great debt. I have been researching his history for some while and have the following information with help from a number of people.
The following is an Abridged version of his service record (No official one exists). It was put together by Oliver Fallon, researcher and historian for the Connaught Rangers.
THE SERVICE RECORD OF
CSM JOSEPH A. PHILLIPS No 6669; Connaught Rangers
Enlisted May 1899;
SA; BEF;
Kia March 21st 1918 ;
Born Rahoon, Co Galway July 8th 1881; Son of Bernard Phillips and Theresa Phillips nee Hayes;
Enlisted in Connaught Rangers at Galway late May 1899; No 6669;
Army Form B 265- (Short Service 7 years with the colours and 5 years in the Reserve, or if completes his 7 years while beyond the seas then 8 years with the colours and 4 in the Reserves).
Aged 17 years and 10 months;
Home Service
Orders received October 9th 1899 at Athlone for mobilisation of 1st battalion Connaught Rangers for service in South Africa;
Anglo- Boer war declared October 10th 1899.
November 9th. 1899- Advance party of A Coy left for Queenstown, rest of the battalion followed on special train - 28 officers and 850 men.
Later posted to details at Chatham, Kent;
Overseas Service South Africa.
Embarked for active overseas service with 1st Battalion in South Africa 1901 from Chatham;
Promoted Lance Corporal.
Awarded Queens South African Medal with 2 Clasps (Cape Colony; Orange Free State;) at Aliwal North, South Africa October 1st 1901;
Served in South Africa 1901 – 1902;
Promoted Corporal
1st Battalion left Burghersdorp for Cape Town on January 26th 1903 and on January 28th 1903 sailed on the ‘Staffordshire’ for England.
Home Service
Arrived and disembarked Southampton February 16th 1903.
February 17th 1903 1st battalion posted to Mullingar.
Awarded Kings South African Medal with 2 clasps (1901 & 02) at Mullingar May 11th 1903;
Overseas Service India.
Posted to 2nd Battalion in India – date unknown. At this time 2nd Battalion were stationed at Ahmednagar and later Poona;
On December 24th 1906 the 2nd battalion less E and H companies, previously sent forward under Major G.H. Ford- Hutchinson, left Ahmednagar for Poona by route march, under the command of Lieut-Colonel J.F. Hume.
Posted to 1st Battalion from 2nd Battalion March 6th 1908.
May 2nd 1908 - left Dagshai for Kalka arrived Rawal Pindi May 6th 1908 quartered at West Ridge Barracks;
June 2nd 1908 - left Rawal Pindi returned to Dagshai June 8th 1908;
November 16th 1908 – The Rangers left Dagshai for Umballa by march route arriving on Nov 20th 1908.
November 16th 1909 – The battalion left Umballa for Dagshai by route march arriving Dagshai March 31st 1909;
November 19th 1910 Battalion moved by train from Umballa for Ferozepore arrived Gough Barracks, Ferozepore same night ;
1st Battalion were stationed at Dagshai (Mar – Nov 08) – Umballa (Nov 08- Nov 10) – Ferezepore (Nov 10 – Aug 14). (Delhi Durbar Nov & Dec 1911);
Posted to home establishment circa 1912;
Home Service.
Posted to 3rd (Special Reserve) battalion at Depot Renmore Barracks, Galway on return from India;
Promoted to Colour Sergeant 3rd Battalion at Galway early 1914.
Mobilised with 3rd (Special Reserve) battalion at Galway August 8th 1914 and posted to Crosshaven, Co Cork same day;
One Coy D 4 officers and 130 other ranks sent from Kinsale to garrison Charles Fort January 16th 1915;
No 6669 CSM Joseph Phillips - Wrote Last Will and Testament on December 2nd 1916; War Office No E 750674 /1; Record No 542/886648 19/20; Left all property and personal effects to Wife Mrs F Phillips, 3 Raleigh Row, Galway. Witnesses CSM Michael Considine and Pte John Devine No 7287 Connaught Rangers at Kinsale Barracks, Co Cork;
Posted to active service with 6th Battalion from Charles Fort, Kinsale Dec 1916 /early 1917;
Overseas BEF
Joined the 6th battalion in the field early 1917;
Killed in action March 21st, 1918 during German offensive at Ronssoy Wood, France. Aged 36;
CWGC- Company Sergeant Major Joseph Phillips No. 6669; Kia March 21st 1918; Born Galway, enlisted Galway, residence Galway; Ste Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers Faucon, Somme, France;
Medals – Boer War - Queens South African Medal with 2 Clasps (Cape Colony; Orange Free State;) & Kings South African Medal with 2 clasps (1901 & 02) ;
Medal entitlement - British War Medal; Victory Medal;
