TOPIC:

Survived Elandslaagte to die in Ladysmith 10 years 1 week ago #42820

Rory
Topic Author
Offline
Senior Member
Posts: 3553
Thank you received: 2432

This the story of James Phillips, a Devon's man who survived the epic conflict at Elandslaagte only to pass away ravaged by illness in Ladysmith a few months later.

James Samuel Phillips

Private, 1st Devonshire Regiment, - Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Elandslaagte and Defence of Ladysmith to 4165 Pte. J. Phillips, Devon Regt.

James Phillips could not possibly have imagined how his life would end one day. He would never have guessed that he might meet his Maker in a far-away land under the blazing son. Does a soldier think about these things when they enlist for that great adventure known as war?

James Phillips was born in Kingsteignton, Devon on 23 March 1875 the son of Samuel Phillips, a Bargeman by occupation, and his wife Eliza. Baptised in the local church on 30 April 1875 it wasn’t until the England census of 1881 before we get a better glimpse of him and his family. James was never to know his father that worthy dying in the very year he was born.

The Phillip’s were a large family, certainly by today’s standards but not for the Victorian times in which they lived. Resident in Church Street, Kingsteignton were Eliza, 44 and already widowed as we have seen, and with many mouths to feed in the form of William (23) a Gardener, Edward (21) and a Tanner, Frances (19) a Servant Girl and Cook, Bessie (16) and a Housemaid and then the younger brood, Alice (10), Louisa (9) and bringing up the rear, her last born, James (5). It must have been all hands on deck to raise the family with the older children being called upon to help with the upbringing of the younger ones.

Young James was sent off to the local school where he completed his schooling on 16 March 1888 at the age of 13. By the time the 1891 England census came round three years later he was already hard at work, aged 16, as an Agricultural Labourer. The family still lived in Church Street but their ranks had inevitably been thinned by the departure of some of the older siblings. Remaining with a 58 year old Eliza were Frances (29), Alice (21), Louisa (19) and James who, was called Samuel J by the census enumerator.

This was no life for a young man and James, doubtless tiring of the years of grind and poverty, enlisted with the 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment at some point. The details of his early service are unknown but it can be safely assumed that he was with his comrades in India shortly before the Anglo Boer War commenced with a vengeance in October 1899.

The 1st Battalion, Phillips’ crowd, was one of the four infantry battalions which, along with three cavalry regiments and three batteries of Field Artillery, were despatched from India to Natal immediately before war was declared, when it was obvious that the Boers were massing their forces near the frontiers.

It was fortunate indeed that—thanks to the importunity of the Natal Government—Sir George White had the services of these Indian troops on his arrival on 7th October for their services were immediately required.

The 1st Devons were in Ladysmith when Sir George White landed at Durban to take command of the forces in Natal. They were not present at the battle of Glencoe or Talana Hill, but they were soon to have a chance of showing what sterling stuff they were made of. They were brigaded with the 1st Manchesters and 2nd Gordons under Colonel Ian Hamilton, and it was this brigade which did so well at Elandslaagte and subsequently at Waggon Hill on 6th January.

The story of Elandslaagte was a ray of sunshine on an otherwise cloudy landscape for the British forces. On 18th October General French arrived at Ladysmith and early on the morning of Saturday, the 21st, he went out northwards towards Elandslaagte, where it was known that a Boer force, which had cut the line to Dundee, was stationed. The general took with him part of the 5th Dragoon Guards, the 5th Lancers, five squadrons of the newly raised Imperial Light Horse, some Natal Volunteers, half the 1st Manchester Regiment, and the Natal Field Battery.

After some skirmishing he found the Boers too strong for his small body, so at about 9 am he wired for reinforcements. About two o'clock these arrived in the shape of the Devons, five companies of the 2nd Gordons, another squadron of the 5th Dragoon Guards, one of the 5th Lancers, and the 21st and 42nd Batteries RFA.The Boers were seen to be strongly posted on a ridge, but General French at once decided to attack. The infantry were put under Colonel Ian Hamilton. Roughly the formation was—the 5th Dragoon Guards, some Volunteers, and one battery on our extreme left; the Devons and a battery on the left centre, these to make for the left of the ridge. The Manchesters in the centre and the Gordons on their right rear to attack the extremity of the ridge, move along it, and crumple up the enemy. The 5th Lancers and Imperial Light Horse were on the extreme right to work round the Boer left.
In the face of a terrible fire the Manchesters and Gordons pulled off their part of the task and the Boers were driven along the ridge, with the Devons pressed in, having assaulted two detached hills. When the enemy's guns were reached and the end of the ridge gained from which the whole of the enemy's camp, full of tents, horses, and men, was fully exposed to view at fixed-sight range, a white flag was raised by the enemy, and Colonel Hamilton ordered the cease fire. Men rose up, thinking it was all over but the white flag was disowned by many Boers, who seized the opportunity presented and poured in a fierce fire.

The British forces soon gathered their wits, and, splendidly led, they charged and routed the remaining Boers, the cavalry charging through the enemy while they fled. Two guns and about 200 prisoners were taken, and Sir George estimated that 100 were killed and 108 wounded. The losses of the Devons were 4 officers and 29 men wounded.

On 24th October Sir George White moved out again north of Ladysmith and fought the action of Rietfontein. The 1st Devons were present and lost 1 man killed and 5 wounded. In the battle outside Ladysmith on 30th October the 1st Devons were in the centre, under Colonel Ian Hamilton, and had little to do but cover the rather ragged retiral of Colonel Grimwood's brigade.

During the siege of Ladysmith the battalion did splendid work. In the great attack on 6th January, after the fight had lasted from 3 am till 5 pm, and notwithstanding every effort by half-battalions of the 1st King's Royal Rifles, 2nd King's Royal Rifles, and companies of various other regiments, the south-east portion of Waggon Hill was still held by the enemy. A quotation from Sir George White's despatch of 23rd March shows best how it was cleared:

"At 5 pm Lieutenant Colonel C W Park arrived at Waggon Hill with three companies 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, which I had ordered up as reinforcements, and was at once directed by Colonel Hamilton to turn the enemy off the ridge with the bayonet. The Devons dashed forward and gained a position under cover within 50 yards of the enemy. Here a fire-fight ensued; but the Devons were not to be denied, and eventually, cheering as they pushed from point to point, they drove the enemy not only off the plateau, but cleared every Boer out of the lower slopes and the dongas surrounding the position. Lieutenant Colonel Park went into action with four officers, but he alone remained untouched at the close. The total loss of the Devons was nearly 28 per cent of those engaged, and the men fired only 12 rounds per rifle. Captain A Menzies, 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment, with a few of his men, accompanied the Devons throughout. He also was wounded".

This magnificent charge has been described by many writers, and to the three companies of the Devons everything in the way of praise and admiration has been given. On the same day the post known as Observation Hill West, held by the remainder of the Devons, was attacked, but there the enemy was driven off without much difficulty.

Phillips, in on the action all the way, wasn’t to accompany his friends and comrades when they pressed onwards as part of Buller’s drive to oust the Boers from Natal after the Relief of Ladysmith on 28 February. Somewhere somehow he had contracted that most debilitating of diseases, Enteric Fever. This condition, easily remedied in this day and age, was the scourge of the British troops in the Boer War – far more men succumbed to its deathly embrace than were killed in action or on the receiving end of a Boer bullet.

Phillips was no exception – having been treated at Intombi camp he was never to leave the hospital there. A combination of sickness and the poor diet everyone was reduced to effectively snuffed out any chance he might have had of survival and he breathed his last on 1 April 1900, 25 years old.
For his efforts he was awarded, posthumously, the Queens Medal with Elandslaagte and Defence of Ladysmith clasps.

He had done his duty in both

Attachments:

The following user(s) said Thank You: djb

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Survived Elandslaagte to die in Ladysmith 10 years 1 week ago #42822

djb Offline Administrator Posts: 33576 Thank you received: 5207	A morning coffee and one of your excellent accounts, Rory. What a great start to the day! Dr David Biggins The following user(s) said Thank You: Rory
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Survived Elandslaagte to die in Ladysmith 10 years 1 week ago #42826

QSAMIKE Offline Senior Member Posts: 5920 Thank you received: 2014	Another great bit of research Rory...... My Light Horseman, Pearce (see herein) has the exact same bars and I will also have to dig out my photo of Imtombe cemetary and see if I can find Phillips grave site..... Mike Life Member Past-President Calgary Military Historical Society O.M.R.S. 1591 The following user(s) said Thank You: Rory
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Survived Elandslaagte to die in Ladysmith 10 years 1 week ago #42828

Rory Topic Author Offline Senior Member Posts: 3553 Thank you received: 2432	Would be great if you could find a photo of Phillips' grave Mike! Regards Rory
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Survived Elandslaagte to die in Ladysmith 10 years 1 week ago #42835

Rory Topic Author Offline Senior Member Posts: 3553 Thank you received: 2432	Thanks very much David I'm glad you enjoyed the read. Regards Rory
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Survived Elandslaagte to die in Ladysmith 10 years 1 week ago #42836

Frank Kelley Offline Senior Member Posts: 6763 Thank you received: 963	I like the large bold impressed naming that you would hope to see on these particular medals, a super example, to a member of a famous regiment, that some still say, even today, actually saved Ladysmith.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.