The First World War
Officers of The Royal Canadian Regiment
Major Harold Preston Evans Phillips, M.C.
Regimental Sergeant Major, The RCR
Dec 1914 to 19 Mar 1916
Soldiers of the First World War database entry - H.P.E. Phillips
Summary of Service:
- Service in the Canadian Engineers, 3 years, 159 days
- Service in the ranks of The R.C.R., 6 years, 55 days
- Service as a Warrant Officer, 1st Class, The R.C.R., 1 year, 98 days
- Served in Bermuda with The R.C.R. (1914-15), rank Colour Sergeant
- Regimental Sergeant Major, The RCR: Dec 1914 to 19 Mar 1916
Service Details:
- Born at Toronto, Ont; 4 May 1888
- Enlisted in The RCR at London, Ont; 7 Nov 1908
- Shown on the Nov 1914 nominal roll for The RCR in Bermuda; rank Colour Sergeant.
- Attested for service in the CEF at Halifax, N.S. Former corps identified as 2nd Field Engineers Can. Mil. (5 years). Next of kin identified as Mrs H. Phillips; 657 Princess Ave, London, Ont. Harold Phillips is described on his CEF attestation paper, dated 24 Aug 1915, as 5-foot 6 inches in height, dark complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair. He was a Methodist; 25 Aug 1915
- Disembarked Boulogne with The RCR; 1 Nov 1915
- Appointed temporary Lieut., The R.C.R.; 19 Mar 1916
- THE LONDON GAZETTE, 4 APRIL, 1916; The Royal Canadian Regiment. - The undermentioned to be temporary Lieutenants:- Dated 19 March 1916, H. Phillips; 19 Mar 1916
- Appointed Lieutenant; formerly Sgt Maj. R.C.R. (regimental number 7613; CEF service number 477721); 27 Mar 1916
- Mentioned in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in the Field, 15 Jun 1916; 15 Jun 1916
- Wounded in action (slightly), at duty; 17 Aug 1916
- Granted 10 days leave of absence; 30 Oct 1916
- Granted 10 days leave; 9 Nov 1916. Returned from leave; 23 Nov 1916
- Awarded the Military Cross; 1 Jan 1917
- SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 1 JANUARY, 1917; Awarded the Military Cross - Lt. Harold Phillips, R. Can. R; 1 Jan 1917
- To be Captain vice Capt D.E. Munn (Died of Wounds); 19 Apr 1917
- SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 3 JULY, 1917; R. Can. Rgt. - Temp. Lt. H. Phillips to be temp. Capt.; 19 Apr 1917
- To be Temp. Quartermaster with the Honorary rank of captain vice Hon. Capt. Coupe; 3 Oct 1917
- Appointed Hon. Capt. and Quartermaster, 3 Oct 1917; 3 Oct 1917
- Granted 14 days leave; 25 Nov 1917
- 14 days leave to U.K., 25 Nov 1917; 25 Nov 1917
- Returned from leave; 12 Dec 1917
- Granted 14 days leave to U.K.; 17 Mar 1918. Returned from leave; 1 Apr 1918
- Admitted General Hospital Etaples; 28 Jul 1918
- Discharged from Hospital to Duty; 9 Aug 1918
- TOS Canadian Infantry Base Depot (C.I.B.D.); 10 Aug 1918
- Wounded in action, right thigh, at duty, 18 Aug 1916; 18 Aug 1918
- Still serving with RCR; 10 Sep 1918
- Granted 14 days leave; 6 Oct 1918. Returned from leave; 26 Oct 1918
- SOS the Cdn Conc Camp Le Havre to Nova Scotia Depot, Ripon, for demobilization; 5 Feb 1919
- TOS CEF Canada, Military District No. 6 (Halifax), for General Demobilization; 1 Mar 1919
- SOS the OMFC in the British Isles on transfer to CEF in Canada; proceeded to Canada from Liverpool; 1 Mar 1919
- Res. Temp. Commission on application to Permanent Force; Lieut. R.C.R; 1 Apr 1920
- Capt (Q.M.) R.C.R; 1 Apr 1920
- Maj (Q.M.) R.C.R; 1 Apr 1920
- As of 31 Mar 1930; holding appointment of Quartermaster, held on the strength of "B" Company; 31 Mar 1930
- 1 Apr 1930; To be Major (Quartermaster); 1 Apr 1930
- DIO, M.D. No. 2; 9 Feb 1937
- King George VI Coronation Medal; 1937
- G.S.O. (3) (temp) Military District No. 2, Toronto, Ontario; appointment identified as at 15 Nov 1937; 15 Nov 1937
- GSO 3, MD No. 2 (Acting); 2 Jul 1938
- GSO 3, MD No. 2; 20 Nov 1938
- Deceased; 17 Apr 1952
First World War Mentions in Despatches:
- T.-Lieut., RCR; L.G. 29623, 15 Jun 1916
Bar to the Military Cross Citation
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 1 FEBRUARY, 1919; 31 January 1919, Issue number: 31158, Page number: 1634; BAR TO THE MC
Qr.-Mr. and Capt. Harold Phillips, M.C., R. Can. R., Nova Scotia R. - For conspicuous gallantly and devotion to duty as transport officer during operations from 26th August, 1918. While the advance was still in progress and during heavy enemy bombardment, he reconnoitred forward routes and then brought up much-needed rations and water. He was constantly in the forward area by day and night, and it was due to his disregard for personal safety that the transport regularly delivered rations and water. (M.C. gazetted 1st January, 1917.)
The Connecting File, Vol XVII, No. 2, April 1938
Old "K" Company members will remember Col.-Serjt. H.P.E. Phillips. 1915 members will remember R.S.M. Phillips. But the greatest number will remember the T.O. who, night after night, without fail, brought up the rations to the companies in the Line. They will remember the T.O. who made a habit of taking transport prizes with his harness and his wagons, and those horses which took on a new coat when they came to The R.C.R. But there are officers who will also remember that although they could carry 100 lbs. (more or less), those glossy horses could not drag more than 35 lbs. for an officer. Whereas Lieut. and later Capt Phillips, supplied rations to the troops, Major Phillips now supplies information to M.D. No. 2, as D.M.I.O. We congratulate him on his appointment. As will be noted in these columns, he is one of the few of the Old Guard left in uniform.
Corporal to Field Officer
Corporal to Field Officer, was a reference work written by Captain H.P.E. Phillips, MC, and Lieutenant-Colonel R.J.S. Langford, designed for use by officers and NCOs in the Canadian Army to contain the essentials of all the army's other military manuals. Originally published in 1925, the 4th edition was in use at the beginning of and during the World War II.
Date of Birth - 4 May 1888
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