Richard PHILPIN. Born 1870 at Portsmouth, Hampshire, England and died 1944 at Portsmouth, Hampshire.
Some notes from what remains of his army record.
He was born in 1870 in the parish of St Thomas, Pembroke. Son of Thomas and Caroline and his occupation, valet and son of Thomas and Caroline nee Davies. On the 20th July 1888 aged 18 he joined the 1st Brigade, Welsh Division, Royal Artillery as Gunner 68037 at Fort Hubberstone. Prior to enlistment he had served with the 1st Pembroke, Volunteer Battalion, Welsh Regiment.
On 1 July 1899, the Royal Artillery was divided into three groups: the Royal Horse Artillery of 21 batteries and the Royal Field Artillery of 95 batteries comprised one group, while the coastal defence, mountain, siege and heavy batteries were split off into another group named the Royal Garrison Artillery of 91 companies He was posted to the Southern Division, Royal Garrison Artillery, 37th Siege Battery as Gunner. On the 22 August 1895 he was awaiting trial and was tried and reduced to the rank of Bombardier on the 26th August 1895. 9th July 1897 promoted to Corporal, and Sergeant on the 1st April 1900. Posted to Mauritius from the 7th July 1907 to 30th December 1907. Home (UK)from the 31st December 1907 to his discharged on the19th July 1909 to his home of 10 Friary, Lennox Road, Southsea.
On the 25th November 1908 he was admitted to York Military Hospital for father treatment . He was suffering from arteriosclerosis. He married Jane Ellery, spinster on the 1st January 1894 at Portsea, Portsmouth, she died on the 13th August 1907.
They had the following children.
Arthur John Thomas born 24th June 1894 at South Port. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery.
Thirza Ellery, born 13th July 1897 at Portsea
Winifred May born 30th July 1899 at Weymouth
Gwendoline Annie born 13th August 1901
Richard Hubert Llewellyn born 5th August 1903 He later became an officer in the army.
Myra Gladys, born 22nd July 1905 at Portsea
June, born 13th and died on the 15 May 1907
In 1911 he was living at the home of Matilda Hutton (Mutton) Philpin, widow at 10 Friary, Lennox Road, Southsea aged 42, widower, army pensioner. He married her in 1928
On the 14th September 1914 he re-joined the colours aged 44 as Sergeant 278442, at Fort Rowner, Gosport. On the 17th October 1914 he was sent to the Depot of the Royal Garrison Artillery at Woolwich
3rd November 1914 posted to Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery,
On the 15th May 1918 he was tried by the D.C.M. (District Court Martial) He was charged with being drunk on active service while in charge of a gun station. Reduced to the rank of Corporal ( refer to 22nd August 1895) His next of kin and guardian of his children was Mrs Matilda Philpin.
There is no reference to him having been sent overseas but he was discharge on the 16th February 1919 and died on the 2nd May 1945 at the Royal Portsmouth Hospital. He lived at with Matilda at 34 Aldermoor Road, Purbrook, Hampshire. Sergeant, Pensioner, Royal Artillery.
Richard Hubert Llewellyn PHILPIN, O.B.E. born 5th August 1903
London Gazette dated 29th November 1946.
The undermentioned 2nd Lieutenant. (War Subs. Capts.) from Emergency. Commissions. P. Corps, to be Capts. with
seniority as shown: 2nd September 1946 Richard Hubert Llewelyn PHILPIN (-243744), 29th September 1943
London Gazette dated 25th January 1955
TERRITORIAL ARMY.
Hon Major, Richard Hubert Llewelyn PHILPIN (243744) (late R.P.C.) to be Capt., 8th Nov. 1954 with seniority 16th Nov. 1944
London Gazette dated 2nd June 1962
Captain Richard Hubert Llewellyn PHILPIN (243744), Corps of Royal Engineers, Territorial Army
On the 22nd March 1937 he returned from Bombay on ship, Strathmore
with his family. He was aged 33 and a soldier, his wife Gwendoline aged 33, Donald aged 4 and John aged 2. Address in England was 70 Stride Avenue, Porstmouth. He was married in India.
2nd June 1962 he was awarded the O.B.E, he died in Chatham Kent in 1988 aged 84.
