Born in 1890 at Bow, son of Evan (Retail Chemist and Druggist) and Alice Phillips. 1901: With his family at 9 Station Terrace, Snakes Lane/Claremont Grove. 1911: A Dental Student with his family at “Oakley” Woodford Green, later numbered 3 Monkhams Avenue. He was an Old Bancroftian.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing illness of his father he was obliged to take on work in the chemist’s shop where, acting as a dispensing Chemist, he gained a good reputation for patience and understanding. His father died on 2nd October 1914, and responsibility for the business passed to Edgar and his two brothers.
By August 1916 he was in the Army, a Pioneer in the gas section of the Royal Engineers. Their Special Companies had been formed to handle and release poison gas from long canisters. With his background, Edgar was considered a useful member.
On Wednesday 4th July 1917 he was moving down a communication trench to the front line during the Third Battle of Ypres when heavy shellfire began; Edgar was wounded by shrapnel from a shell which struck the trench parapet. Among his injuries were a badly broken right leg and blood loss. Though cheerful at first and chatting to those bandaging him, he had lost consciousness by the time they reached an Aid Post. He remained unconscious and subsequently died there from the wounds he had received.
Both he and his brother Norman are commemorated at Bancroft’s School where they were pupils.
X/R: Driver Norman Holt Phillips (Brother)
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
The Woodford Times
For more information on this individual please see The Old Bancroftian website.