Early Life.
Frederick William Phillips was born on the 13th August 1916 at West Ham. When his birth was registered his full name was recorded as Frederick William Montague Percy Phillips.
His father was Frederick Charles Phillips who was born on the 20th November 1891. His mother was Agnes Stock who was born on the 12th January 1891. Frederick and Agnes were married in 1915 at Whitechapel, London. They had four children:
1. Frederick William Montague Percy Phillips.
2. Arthur Clifford Phillips born 22nd February 1918 at West Ham.
3. Leslie Ernest Phillips born 21st September 1920 at West Ham.
4. Doris Eleanor Phillips born in 1924 at West Ham
In the 1921 census Frederick P. Phillips [the P. is presumed to be for Percy Ed.], aged 4 was recorded as living in Dunmow Road, Takeley, Essex with his maternal widowed grandmother Barbara Stock and other family members.
His parents and siblings were living at 59 Marlborough Road, East Ham and his father was employed as a General Labourer at Great Eastern Railway Wagon Building and Repairing Depot, Temple Mills, Leyton E10, Essex.
Having attended school Frederick was employed as a Veneer Preparer but his employer is not known. He then decided to join the Army.
Military Service.
Very little is known about his Military Service other than what was later recorded on his Hertfordshire Constabulary Personal Record which states that he enlisted into the Grenadier Guards on the 26th March 1935. He used the name Frederick P. Phillips. He left the Army after nearly 4 year’s service on the 18th January 1939. Further information about his Army Service is recorded alongside his name, Frederick P. Phillips, in the 1939 Register. It shows: Reservist No. 2614513, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, 4 year’s service.
Police Service.
On deciding to leave the Army Frederick applied to join the Hertfordshire Constabulary. None of his application forms have survived but his application was successful and from his Police Personal Record and Pay Record we know that he started his Probationary Training on the 19th January 1939 at the Police Headquarters at Hatfield earning £2/2/0 per week using the name Frederick William West. It is not known why he stopped using Percy and switched to William.
On the 20th April 1939, on the completion of his training, he was Appointed as Constable 83 and posted to D Division at Berkhamsted earning £2/3/0 per week.
Further details contained in his Police Service Record are as follows: He gave his date and place of birth as the 13th August 1916 at West Ham, London, his Height: 6 ft 1 ½ ins, Eyes: Green, Hair: Dark Brown, Complexion: Pale, Distinctive Marks: Scar left forearm [this may have been the result of being wounded Ed.].
In May 1939 he passed his St. John Ambulance First Aid certificate.
In the 1939 Register as previously stated, Frederick P. Phillips, Police Constable, was lodging with a widow Mrs. Lay at 7, Elm Grove Berkhamsted.
Military Service During WW2.
His Police Service Record shows that he re-joined H.M. Forces on the 4th December 1939 having been recalled as a reservist.
On the 23rd January 1940 Frederick’s Police Service Record shows he applied for permission to marry.
Marriage.
On the 17th February 1940 in the Parish Church of St. Peter, Berkhamsted, Frederick Percy Phillips, a bachelor aged 23, of the Grenadier Guards, Victoria Barracks, Windsor married Florence Gertrude Furniss born on the 13th June 1920, a paper worker of 9 Curtis Way, Berkhamsted. They had two sons one of whom was later to become Constable 82 in the Hertfordshire Constabulary.
Only one official record has been found that records Frederick’s activities during the war which is a Casualty List. It shows that whilst in North West Europe, Lance Serjeant F.P. Phillips No. 2614513, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, was reported as being Wounded on Casualty List No. 1540 reported to the War Office Casualty Branch on the 9th January 1944.
The 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards served throughout WW2, initially deploying to France with the British Expeditionary Force in 1939, evacuating from Dunkirk in 1940, and later reforming as an armoured unit within the Guards Armoured Division. They participated in the Normandy landings, Operation Market Garden, and the Rhine crossing, ending the war in Germany.
He was awarded the 1939/45 Star, France/Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Service Medal.
He was later awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Re-joining The Police.
His Police Service Record shows that he re-joined Hertfordshire Constabulary on the 18th July 1945, but not at Berkhamsted, he was posted to C Division at Watford.
In December 1945 he passed the St. John Ambulance Voucher First Aid qualification.
On the 26th June 1947 Frederick applied for a transfer to an outstation Beat and on the 14th July 1947 he was transferred to A Division at Braughing.
In March 1948 he passed the St. John Ambulance Medallion First Aid qualification and in January 1949 he passed the 1st Bar St. John Ambulance First Aid qualification.
Then on the 18th January 1950 he was transferred to B Division at Welwyn Garden City.
Commendation.
On the 10th July 1952 he was commended by the Chief Constable for his arrest of a shop breaker.
On the 7th November 1952 he was transferred to E Division at Baldock.
On the 28th January 1954 he sought permission for his father to reside with him in his Police house. It was approved.
Between 30th March and 2nd April 1954 attended Road Safety Officers Course No. 15.
The Royal Review.
The Royal Review of the Police Forces of the United Kingdom took place on Wednesday, 14th July 1954, in Hyde Park, London. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh inspected approximately 10,000 officers from various UK forces. Frederick was one of 79 members of Hertfordshire Constabulary who took part.
On the 27th July 1955 Frederick applied for a transfer to Hemel Hempstead for a domestic reason. The transfer was granted and on 26th November 1955 he was transferred to D Division at Hemel Hempstead where he occupied 107 Anchor Lane.
On the 12th May 1956 he qualified as a Class 5 Police driver.
Between 25th August and the 8th September 1956, he performed Coroner’s Officer duties.
On the 8th April 1957 he was Appointed as the Coroner’s Officer for D Division. Plain Clothes allowance was approved.
On the 16th July 1957 his Appointment to Coroner’s/Warrant Officer was confirmed.
Frederick received several letters of appreciation for his work as Coroner’s Officer as follows:
A letter dated 19th January 1960 from R. Chesterman for kindness shown when their father died.
A letter dated 5th February 1960 from Captain R. Oakley for considerateness and helpfulness when his brother died.
A letter dated 31st May 1960 from a Mrs. H. Brown for helpfulness and considerateness when her husband died on a train.
A letter dated 5th June 1960 from L. Yeates of Surrey for his kindness, tact and consideration when dealing with the death of his nephew.
A letter dated 4th July 1960 from W. Babbington of Bushey Heath for sympathy and understanding when their daughter died.
A letter dated 9th June 1961 from the Air Attache, Venezuelan Embassy for assistance rendered when Sub. Lt. Ortiz was killed on the M1.
A letter dated 12th June 1961 from the Consul General, Venezuelan Embassy – as above.
A letter dated 19th November 1961 from J. & S. Kinsey, Berkhamsted for help and sympathy when Mrs. Garrett collapsed in street.
On the 16th January 1964 Frederick applied to move to a Council house when offered one at Hemel Hempstead. This was approved.
On the 19th April 1964 he retired on pension on completion of 25 year’s service.
Death.
Ex-Constable Frederick William Montague Percy Phillips, aged 59 years, of 1 Crouchfield, Hemel Hempstead, died during the early hours of the 10th November 1975 at West Herts Hospital, Hemel Hempstead.
Add your comment about this page