Captain, John Scantlebury PHILP
Aged 41
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John Scantlebury PHILP was born in Lansallos, Cornwall on 22nd September 1902 (Liskeard Q4-1902 5C:53), son of Sidney John Scantlebury and Mary Ellen PHILP
(née WEST).
1911 census...Aged 8, he was at Priestfields, Castle Hedingham, Essex, with his father Sidney J S PHILPS [41] farmer, born Broadoak, Cornwall; his mother Mary Ellen [38] born Lanreath, Cornwall; widowed grandmother Elizabeth PHILP [78] born Broadoak, Cornwall; brothers Cyril [11] born Lansallos and Thomas West [2] born Morval, Cornwall; sister Dorothy Elizabeth [10] born Lansallos. He married Marjorie Eva BAINES at Castle Hedingham on 17th September 1931. She later married Bertram H PALMER. In the 1939 register he was alone at Rectory Farm, Pebmarsh Road, Gestingthorpe, a farmer. His wife [5-6-1906] and son Wilfred P [1-9-1937] were at Augusta House, Kings Street, Castle Hedingham with her parents William H BAINES [14-12-186] retired grocer/draper and Emily J BAINES [25-4-1866]. There is one closed record. His family were at Kirby Hall, Kirby Hall Road, Castle Hedingham. Father [17-7-1869] a farmer; mother [16-3-1873] brothers Cyril [29-6-1899] a farmer and Sidney J [29-9-1913] heavy farm machinery driver, assisting father. His will gives the address as Rectory Farm, Gestingthorpe, Essex. He was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Philp, of Kirby Hall, Sible Hedingham, all four brother were at the East Anglian School. Mr Fretter, who remembers him at the E.A.S., reminds us that John was of a strong and active personality with a generous nature. His prowess in goal, both at football and hockey was most valuable to the School teams. His courage was undaunted, in a tight corner never did he flinch. |
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Report in the Press - June 8th 1944:- The inquest on the six members of the Essex Home Guard fatally injured in a bomb explosion on Sunday morning, April 23rd, at Rectory Farm, Gestingthorpe, during a demonstration, has been completed by the Coroner (Dr.J.F.Mcdonald). Sergeant Stanley Wallace, farmer, Great Maplestead, one of the three survivors of the N.C.O.'s class which was being instructed in explosives, said that during the whole lesson Captain Philp was continually impressing on the class that safety precautions had to be observed. "Capt. Philp took the charge from a grenade and held it in his hand. Capt Philp did not actually cut the explosive charge. he then proceeded to replace the charge in its case, but I could not swear whether he had completely replaced it or not. He stooped down to place the charge at his feet; then he got up and turned to the Corporal. An explosion occurred. That is all I can remember." The Coroner: "Was there one explosion or more?". Sergeant Wallace: "All I know is there was a brilliant flash, and the next thing I remember was that I was picking myself up." Lt.-Col.D.B.Rose, Ridgewell, Commanding Officer of the 15th Battalion Essex Home Guard, stated that Capt Philp was the battalion weapons officer, and experienced in dealing with explosives. Major H.Cree, R.A.O.C., giving expert evidence, stated that the most likely conclusion was that a quantity of gelignite immediately at the feet of the instructor detonated on its own account due to being exposed to the direct rays of the sun. This was a hot day. Col.Rose stated that the gelignite found at the farm was Capt. Philp's private property. The Coroner said this was a sad business and the Home Guard felt it very much. He returned a verdict that the six men came to their deaths accidentally. My thanks to the efforts of Geoffrey Gillon in this matter. John is buried beside his parents at Castle Hedingham Cemetery |
photo:Geoffrey Gillon photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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