Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Phillips a wire mill, iron trade worker, born 1862 in Wellington, Shropshire and his wife Harriett Phillips (nee Shore, married on the 25th December 1893 in Christ Church, Wellington, Shropshire), born 1863 in Dawley, Shropshire, William Charles was born on the 16th October 1895 in Wellington, Shropshire, and was baptised at Christ Church, Wellington, Shropshire on the 10th November 1895, his siblings were, John Thomas, born 23rd June 1894, and baptised on the 15th July 1894 in Christ Church, Wellington, Shropshire, Norman, born on the 24th November 1896 and baptised on the 13th December 1896 in Christ Church, Wellington, Shropshire, Ernest Henry, born on the 20th July 1898 and baptised on the 7th August 1898 in Christ Church, Wellington, Shropshire and Mary Annetta, born on the 11th August 1900 and baptised on the 2nd September 1900 in Christ Church, Wellington, Shropshire, all his siblings were born in Arleston, Wellington, Shropshire, In March 1901 William was residing at Arleston, Wellington, Shropshire in the family home of his widowed maternal grand father Thomas Shore, a farm labourer, born 1834 in Longden, Shropshire, and his late wife Annetta Shore (nee Bagley, married in the 1st quarter of 1860 in the Wellington, Shropshire district), who died in the 3rd quarter of 1992 in the Atcham, Shropshire district, aged 56, and his daughter, Rhoda Shore, born 1886 in Wellington, Shropshire. In the 2nd quarter of 1909 William’s mother died aged 46 in the Atcham, Shropshire. In the 3rd quarter of 1909, William’s father died aged 47 in the Wellington, Shropshire district. In April 1911 William was employed as a farm stockman and was residing as a servant at Peatling Parva, Leicestershire, this being the home of his employer, Herbert Clarke, a farmer born 1861 in Peatling Parva, Leicestershire and his wife Ann, born 1865 in Peatling Parva, Leicestershire, and their son John Maurice, a schoolboy, born 1900 in Peatling Parva, Leicestershire. William enlisted into the Australian Infantry Force for an engagement of the duration of the war and 4 months on the 23rd July 1915 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He gave his place of birth as Arleston, Wellington, Shropshire, England and his age as 19 years and 10 months. He gave his trade or calling as cook. He gave Ernest Phillips, Arleston, Nr. Wellington, Shropshire, England as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5 inches in height, weighed 10 stone and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His complexion was described as sallow, his hair colour as light brown and he had grey eyes. It was noted that he had a scar on his left upper arm, three vaccination marks on his left arm, a mole on his left shoulder blade, a mole on the back of his neck and a mole on his right abdomen. He gave his religion as Church of England. A letter in William’s service record from R. Shore, dated July 19th 1915 reads: To Officer in Charge. Dear Sir. My stepbrother, William Charles Phillips, having volunteered for actice service, wished to gain my consent, as being his only relative in Australia, I therefore give it willingly. Yours Truly R. Shore. His record of service began when he joined the 77th Company to commence his training as a Private, service number 4567 on the 26/7/15. Transferred to 14/8th Refits on the 16/12/15. Embarked from Melbourne aboard H.M.A.T. Themistocoles on the 28/1/16. Disembarked H.M.A.T. Themistocoles in Suez, Egypt on the 28/2/16. Transferred to join the 1st Division Sanitary Section ex Emergency Camp, Zeitoun, Egypt on the 31/3/16. Taken on the strength of the 58th Battalion Australian Infantry at Ferry Post, Tel el Kebir, Egypt on the 1/4/16. Embarked aboard H.7. Transylvania in Alexandria, Egypt to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 17/6/16. Disembarked in Marseilles, France on the 23/6/16. Killed in action in the field, France on the 19/7/16. Buried in the Military Cemetery, Rue du Bois, 4½ miles S.W. of Armentieres, France, in plot 2. Trench 1. Grave 5, by the Rev. F. P. Williams on the 20/7/16. On the 4th July 1917 William’s personal effects, that had been received in Melbourne from France were forwarded by Major J. M. Lean, Officer in Charge of Base Records to his brother. E. Phillips, of Arleston, Wellington, Shropshire, England. The Registered Packet recorded as No. 4668 G.P.O. Melbourne consisted of a tobacco pouch, 2 coins, photo, card, letter, photo case, key, key ring, money belt and badges. A letter written on the 19th June 1919 from Miss R. Shore of “Thanet,” 315, Doveton Street, South Ballarat, Victoria reads: Dear Sir. Will you kindly inform me as to whether Private W. C. Phillips of C Company, 58th Batt. 15th Brigade who was killed in action July 19. 1916 was killed at Fluer Bauy (sic) or Pozieres. I was informed, Pozieres, but some soldiers told me Fluer Bauy (sic), could you also give me the correct place where he is buried, and oblige. Yours faithfully R. Shore. Half Sister to Pte. W. C. Phillips. A response dated the 19th June 1919, from the Officer i/c Base Records reads: Dear Madam, With reference to your communication of 19th inst., regarding the report of the regrettable loss of the late No. 4567 Private W. C. Phillips, 58th Battalion, I am unable to state the exact locality in which the casualty occurred. The only information available at this branch is to the effect that he was killed in action in France on the 19.7.16, and was buried in Military Cemetery, Rue de Bois, 4½ miles south-west of Armentieres, France, on the following day. Yours Faithfully, -?- Major, Officer i/c Base Records. From information contained in William’s record a claim was made for a pension by his half sister, Rhoda Shore, of 21 Cardigan Place, Alberta Park, and was granted to commence on the 30/10/16 at the rate of 9 shillings and 6 pence per fortnight. A later document in William’s record relating to the claim for a pension by Rhoda Shore, of 21 Cardigan Place, Alberta Park, records the following extracts; Under the heading; Relationship of such person to Member, is entered. No relation, claimed as “Half Sister” (This has been crossed out). Under the heading; Result of Claim, is entered. Rejected not deemed to be “half sister of the soldier” (This has also been crossed out). Under the heading; Name and address of Trustee (if any) is entered, Cancelled as from 15/4/17. Footnote: From census records, Rhoda Shore is in fact William’s maternal aunt and not his half sister as claimed in the official documents contained in his service record. William was awarded the British and Victory Medals.