PLUMB, Philip


966, Private, Philip PLUMB
Aged 25


18th Battalion, Australian Infantry
Killed in Action on Sunday, 22nd August 1915

Philip PLUMB was born in Balsham (Linton Q2-1892 3B:519), baptised in Balsham on 7th August 1892, son of John and Susan PLUMB (née CREEK).

1901 census...Aged 9, he was at Fox End, Balsham with his widowed mother Susan PLUMB [51] inn keeper born West Wickham; brothers Sidney [17] a farm labourer, Herbert [12] and Reginald [10] and three boarders. All except his mother were born in Balsham. His father had died in 1896, and elder brother, William,[1874-1898] had died in Chatham Naval Hospital on 24th January 1898, falling from the forecastle of HMS Victorious

1911 census...Aged 18, a farm labourer, he was at Fox End, Balsham with his widower mother (beer house keeper) and two boarders. His mother had borne 10 children but 2 had died. They were (in order of birth) Elizabeth, William, Harry, Arthur, Sidney, Flora, Herbert, Reginald and Philip, the 10th has not been found, presumably born and dying between census.

His elder brother, Sidney, in the Suffolk Regiment, died at home on 1st April 1915 see here





photo: family trees on Ancestry



When he emigrated to Australia is not known. John enlisted at Liverpool, New South Wales on 22nd February 1915, in 18th Battalion, giving his age as 22 years 10 months, born in Balsham, Cambs, next of kin his mother Susan of Fox Lane, Balsham. He was 5 feet 8.5 inches (174 cm) tall,weighed 154 lbs (70.1 kg), chest 33"-36" (83.8 to 91.4 cm), brown eyes, dark hair, Church of England. He had served from 11th August 1914 to 18 January 1915 in the Militia as No.758.

Arrived in Gallipoli on 16th August 1915, missing on 21st and presumed at a Court of EInquiry, at Tel el Kabir, to have died on 22nd August 1915. His comrades said he was in the charge at Suvla Bay, on Hill 60 and they were certain he had died.


photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Philip Plumb is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Turkey panel 62

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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