No.9477, Private, Harold PHILLIPS
Aged 23
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Harold Ernest Phillips was born in Gt Barton (3rd qtr 1894 Thingoe 4a:736) son of Elizabeth PHILLIPS. His mother married James Frederick Cocksedge in 1898 .
1901 census...Aged 6, he was at The Green. Beyton with his stepfather Frederick Cocksedge [29] farm labourer born Bradfield St George; his mother Elizabeth [33] born Gt.Barton; half-sister Norah [1] born Beyton. 1911 census...Aged 16 he was school stock boy at KerrisonReformatory School, Thorndon, Eye. He was recorded as born Chasetown, Staffa. His mother and stepfather were at Beyton Green with his half-sister Emily [11] and Maria [7] both born Beyton. |
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He attested on 19th March 1913 in Norwich, giving his age as 18 years 9 months, born Beyton, a farm labourer living at Kerrison School,
Thorndon nr Eye and was serving in Norfolk Regiment Special Reserves. He gave his next of kin as mpother Elizabeth Cocksedge of Beyton,
and uncle Arthur Phillips of Chasetown near Lichfield, Staffs. He was 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighed 124 lbs, chest 33 to 35 inches, blue eyes, brown hair,
Church of England. He joined the 2nd Suffolks at Aldershot on 20th March 1913 and was discharged as unfit on 22nd April 1913 (after just 34 days). Possibly it was decided he was too small. Whatever the reason the criteira must have changed once the war opened and more bodies were needed. The battalion were at Hook, Tool and Long Trenches east of Monchy when the Germans made a heacy counter-attck from north and south of Bois Vert, getting as close as the parapet of Hook trench. . Heavy casualties were sustained but the Suffolk, with the aid of 529 Coy Royal Engineers (who lost half their men) managed to hang on until daybreak when they succeeded in pushing the Germans back In the fighting east of Arras from 13th to 18th June the 2nd Suffolk suffered 250 casualties.
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