PEPYS, FRANCIS, D.S.O., 2nd Lieut., 2nd Battn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 2nd s. of Capt. Arthur Pepys, of Knowle House, Budleigh Salterton, late 60th Rifles, by his wife, Margaret, dau. of the Rev. John Lomax; b. Budleigh Salterton, co. Devon, 2 April, 1891; educ. Charterhouse; gazetted 2nd Lieut. in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire L.I., 24 May, 1913; went to France with the Expeditionary Force, 13 Aug. 1914; took part in the retreat from Mons, the Battles of the Marne and the Aisne, and the repulse of the Prussian Guards at Ypres, 11 Nov. and was killed in action the following day by the bursting of a shell; unm. Buried at Zonnebeke. 2nd Lieut. Pepys was awarded the D.S.O. for conspicuous good work on 3 Nov. “in advancing from his trench and assisting in driving away a party of the enemy who were commencing to dig a new trench within thirty yards of his own. Thirty of the enemy were shot down on the occasion.” He was also mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. 1915. His elder brother, 2nd Lieut. John Pepys, was killed in action at Mons, 23 Aug. 1914 (see following notice).

PEPYS, JOHN, 2nd Lieut., 2nd Battn. King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, eldest s. of Capt. Arthur Pepys, of Knowle House, Budleigh Salterton, late 60th Rifles, by his wife, Margaret, dau. of the Rev. John Lomax; b. Budleigh Salterton, co. Devon, 7 May, 1890; educ. Charterhouse, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst: gazetted 2nd Lieut. King’s Own Yorkshire L.I., 9 Nov. 1910; went to France with the Expeditionary Force, 14 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action at Mons, on the 23rd, three hours after going into action as machine-gun officer; unm. Buried at Wasmes. His younger brother, 2nd Lieut. Francis Pepys, D.S.O., was killed in action at Ypres, 12 Nov. 1914 (see preceding notice).

PEPYS, REGINALD WHITMORE, Capt., 2nd Battn. Worcestershire Regt., yst. s. of the Rev. Herbert George Pepys, M.A., Hon. Canon of Worcester Cathedral (Florence Court, Torquay) by his wife, Louisa Harriet, dau. of John Whitmore Isaac, of Boughton Park, co. Worcester, and grandson of the Right Rev. Henry Pepys, D.D., Bishop of Worcester [yr. brother of Charles Christopher, 1st Earl of Cottenham]; b. Hallow Vicarage, Worcester, 3 Jan. 1883; educ. Haileybury College, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Worcestershire Regt., 18 Jan. 1902, and promoted Lieut., 2 July, 1904, served with the West African Regt. from 19 Sept. 1908 to 12 May, 1913, obtaining his company, 24 May, 1913, in which year he rejoined the Worcestershire Regt., and was appointed to the 2nd Battn.; went to France with the Expeditionary Force in Aug. 1914, and died in hospital at Chateau de Vermeil, 21 Sept. following, of wounds received in action the previous day, during the Battle of the Aisne. The Adjutant wrote: “He was shot while leading his men in a very hot corner. He was doing his duty to the full extent: he could do no more. He was shot through the chest, and I eventually carried him to the hospital, badly hit, but quite cheerful. He was commanding A Coy. when he was killed, as Capt. Carr, who came out in command of that company, was killed two days before. He is buried in the beautiful grounds of the Château de Vermeil, which was used as a temporary field hospital”; and Sergt. Hill: “Our first place to go for was an empty trench, which we occupied under heavy gun and rifle fire; but it was an absolute death-trap for anyone to show themselves. During this time, I can assure you that Capt. Pepys gave his orders with the coolness as though he had been at Aldershot. After a time there was a break in the fire, and then came the final order to charge, and the Captain jumped up, revolver and sword in hand, to lead the company forward, and I was with him. His wounds were caused by a rifle bullet hitting him in the chest. We were all pleased to think that we had Capt. Pepys posted to take command of the company after the death of our previous commander, the late Capt. Carr, and the whole company deeply regretted that he had been taken from us so soon.” Capt. Pepys m. at Iffley Church, near Oxford, 27 July, 1914, Maud Mael, dau. of William Foster, of Beechwood Iffley; s.p.

PERCY, HENRY EDWARD, Private, No. 750, Honourable Artillery Company, elder s. of Josceline Hugh Percy, of 49, Talbot Road, Highgate [grandson of the Right Rev. Lord Hugh Percy D.D., Bishop of Carlisle, yr. brother of George, 5th Duke of Northumberland], by his wife, Grace Anne, dau. of Edward Percy Thompson; b. Southampton, 6 Aug. 1893; educ. Darlston Court, Swanage, and St. Bees School, Cumberland; was in Equity and Law Life Assurance Office, Lincoln’s Inn Fields; joined the H.A.C. in Feb. 1913; volunteered for foreign service on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914; went to France 18 Sept. 1914, and was killed in action near Kemmel, 25 Feb. 1915; unm. Buried at Kemmel.

PERCY, LEONARD SIDNEY, Private, No. 1623, 1st Battn. (Royal Fusiliers) The London Regt. (T.F.), s. of Charles John Percy, of 16, Stuart Road, West Kilburn, by his wife, Elizabeth, dau. of H. Kent; b. Salisbury, co. Wilts, 13 Aug. 1896; educ. St. Mark’s School, Marleborne; was a Milkman; joined the Royal Fusiliers in 1913; volunteered for foreign service on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914; trained in Malta for six months; went to France, 10 March, and died in the Australian Hospital, Wimereux, 14 Oct. 1915, of wounds received in action during the Battle of Loos, 26 Sept.; unm. Buried at Wimereux.

PERCY, WILLIAM REGINALD MINSHULL, Private, No. 9755, 5th Battn. (Rifle Brigade) The London Regt. (T.F.), s. of John Henry Percy, of Bod Meurig, Rhyl, by his wife, Catherine, dau. of William Minshull, of Mold; b. Southport, 4 Feb. 1895; educ. Epworth College, Rhyl, and then entered the office of the Prudential Society. On the declaration of war in Aug. 1914, he joined the London Rifle Brigade, and was killed in action near Ypres, 27 Feb. 1915; unm. Buried near St. Julien. His Capt. wrote of him as a great loss, “he was so cheery with a sort of Irish wit about him that made him excellent company.” One of his comrades wrote: “The whole battn. was under heavy shell fire at the time, and you will be glad to know that Reggie behaved magnificently during the whole period. He was in fact one of the most popular fellows in the platoon.” A writer in the Ibis said: “Clean-minded, high-spirited, with a charm of manner that captivated all with whom he came in contact, he was the embodiment of joyous youth. The cruel eclipse of this bright life has cast a shadow which only the years in their course can lighten.” From the Headmaster of Epworth College: “Many old Epworthians will remember the skilful drawings executed by W. R. M. P. His caricatures were the best this school have ever produced. All of us, masters and boys, at one time or another provided him with subjects for his friendly but critical pencil. The men of his company were fortunate in having a comrade so vivacious, and so full of kindly humour. Their testimony and that of the officers of the battn. show the high regard in which he was held, and to this testimony we add our tribute of esteem and affection.”

PERHAM, JOHN, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 14848, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PERKINS, ALEXANDER, Leading Seaman, 227224, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PERKINS, ARTHUR, A.B. (R.F.R., Ch. B. 10386), 203819, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PERKINS, CHARLES EDWARD, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., Ch. B. 9009), S.S. 105825, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STEELE-PERKINS, CYRIL STEELE, Lieut., 1st Battn. The King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regt., only surviving s. of George Chapman Steele-Perkins, of 30, Weymouth Place, Portland Place, W., and Kingsdown, near Deal, M.D., by his wife, Alice, dau. of Edward Chapman, of Sydney, New South Wales; b. Streatham, S.W., 27 Feb. 1887; educ. St. Paul’s School, London University and Sandhurst; from which latter he was gazetted 2nd Lieut. 1st Battn. Royal Lancashire Regt. 8 Feb. 1908, and promoted Lieut. 12 Sept. 1911. On the outbreak of war he went with that regt. to the Front, and was killed in action at Haucourt, between Cambray and Le Cateau, France, 26 Aug. 1914; unm. In an article headed “Our Troops Under Fire,” in “The Times,” 8 Sept. 1914 the writer said: “Then there was Lieut. Steele-Perkins, who died one of the grandest deaths a British officer could wish for. He was lifted out of the trenches wounded four times, but, protesting, he crawled back again and remained there till he was mortally wounded.” The following account appeared in “The Scout,” 26 Sept. 1914, p. 54: “On Aug. 26, 1914, The King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regt. was very heavily engaged. One of the greatest heroes of the fight was Lieut. Steele-Perkins. As the German hordes advanced, he—one of the few officers left—walked along the trenches, encouraging the men to do their utmost. No fear had he of danger. What the men could face he was willing to endure. A shell exploded, wounding him severely, and he was carried out of the trenches, protesting loudly. No sooner had he been carried to safety than he crawled back to the trenches; while he could move he would be with his men—they needed his presence to spur them on. ‘Ah,’ said one of his sergeants, ‘he was a proper man, he was. We would do anything for him.’ Four times he was lifted out of trenches, badly wounded, and four times he crawled back again, more feeble each time—nothing but actual physical weakness would keep him from sharing the dangers of his men. Then came the end—from a shell bursting overhead.”

PERRETT, ERNEST, Petty Officer, 206389, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

PERRETT, WILLIAM NELSON, Boy, 1st Class, J. 24698, H.M.S. Hawke, s. of Frederick Nelson Perrett, of 265, Dale Street, Chatham; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

PERRY, ALFRED HENRY, Leading Telegraphist, J. 867, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

PERRY, ARTHUR THEODORE, Private, No. 3/140, New Zealand Army Medical Corps, s. of Arthur Perry, of Northampton; b. Wellington, New Zealand, 4 May, 1886; educ. at Southampton, England; then returned to New Zealand; joined the New Zealand Army Medical Corps after the outbreak of war, 15 Aug. 1914; left Egypt for the Dardanelles 12 April, 1915; took part in the landing on the 25th April, and was killed in action there, 22 May, 1915; unm. Buried in the English Cemetery, Gallipoli. Lieut.-Col. C. M. Begg, commanding N.Z. Field Ambulance, wrote: “He was a very hard worker and was a general favourite in the company. During the time we have been under fire here, he was indefatigable in his attention to the wounded and never hesitated to expose himself in the course of his duties. May it be some comfort to you to know he died doing his duty;” and a comrade: “He died after a month of the most heroic and unselfish work given for the sake of others. He met this noble end as he had lived—a Christian, and by his patience and unselfish endeavours was loved by us all.”

PERRY, EVELYN WALTER COPLAND, 2nd Lieut., Royal Flying Corps (Special Reserve), only child of the late Walter Copland Perry, Barrister-at-Law, by his wife, Evelyn Emma (29, Thurloe Square, S.W.), sister of Lieut.-Col. Horace Robert Stopford, Coldstream Guards (killed in action at the Modder River, 28 Nov. 1899), and only dau. of the late Robert Stopford [grandson of James, 2nd Earl of Courtown, K.P.]; b. at 5, Manchester Square, London, 4 Dec. 1890; educ. St. David’s (Mr. Joyce’s), Reigate; Ripton, and Trinity College, Cambridge, and on leaving there worked at the Royal Aircraft Factory from Feb. 1911 to Aug. 1912. He obtained his aviation certificate (No. 130) on a Valkyrie monoplane at Hendon, 30 Aug. 1911; was gazetted 2nd Lieut., R.F.C. (S.R.), 21 March, 1913, and obtained his certificate as a First Class Pilot, Upavon, 13 Aug. following. On 1 Aug. 1914, he received orders to join the R.F.C. at Netheravon, which he did on 5 Aug., and attd. to the 3rd Squadron he flew with it to Dover on 12 Aug. The following day 42 aeroplanes flew to Amiens, whence he wrote but one letter, full of his extreme enjoyment in these flights, and adding that he was to keep the fine machine he had been using; but apparently these hopes were not realised and he had to give it up. He was killed instantaneously together with his pilot, H. E. Parfitt, on Sunday, 16 Aug 1914, on leaving Amiens, on a B.E. 8 machine, being the first British officer to lose his life on active service in France in the European War. The machine apparently stalled at about 150 ft., and caught fire on reaching the ground. He was buried in the cemetery at St. Acheuil, the following day; unm. Flight Commander P. Shepherd, R.N., wrote: “I knew your son both at Eastchurch and Upavon, and we have lost from the Flying Corps a most gallant officer.” Lieut. Perry did a considerable amount of flying while on the staff of the Royal Aircraft Factory on their early experimental machines, including testing a hydroplane at Fleet. On leaving the Royal Aircraft Factory he joined Mr. Sopwith at Brooklands, and flew very well on his old “Burgess-Wright” with the “Gnome” engine. He left Mr. Sopwith to take an Avro biplane to Portugal, where he put the machine through its tests for the Portuguese Army. In the course of these tests he flew over Lisbon and eventually, owing to engine failure, made a wonderfully skilful forced landing in the Tagus, without any injury to machine, or himself or his passenger even getting their feet wet. On his return to England Mr. Perry, in conjunction with Mr. Beadle, started building aeroplanes on their own account, and produced a small biplane on Avro-cum-B.E. lines, but with many original points, which flew extremely well (this was afterwards purchased by the Admiralty). Mr. Perry next started aviation works at Twickenham, and produced the interesting and beautifully made flying boat which was one of the features of the last Olympic Show.

PERRY, GEORGE HENRY, Leading Stoker, 1245, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PERRY, GEORGE HERBERT GRESLEY, Capt., 2nd Battn. West Yorkshire Regt., only s. of Brigadier-General Hugh Whitchurch Perry, late R.A., Army Ordnance Department, by his wife, Minna Grace, dau. of Edward Reid Nelson Druce, of Victoria Park, near Dover; b. Plumstead, near Cape Town, 6 Aug. 1893; educ. Hillside, West Malvern, Haileybury College and Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., West Yorkshires, 4 Sept. 1912, and promoted Lieut. 14 Aug. 1913; was wounded on 12 March, 1915, during the counter-attack at Neuve Chapelle, and died in No. 7 Stationary Hospital, at Boulogne, 15 March following; unm. He was mentioned for gallantry in the field by F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French, in his Despatch of 31 May, 1915, and his Commanding Officer, Major P. L. Ingpen, wrote of him: “He was hit during the German counter-attack on 12 March, 1915, while pluckily working his machine guns. I need hardly say that he will be a great loss to the regt. and one that cannot easily be replaced. It was owing to his disposition of his guns that the regt. was able to beat off the attack with great loss to the enemy. In my report I mentioned him for special commendation and it was forwarded by the Brigadier.” Although he had been at the Front some months, this was his first engagement.

PERRY, WILLIAM, Private, No. 6668, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards, s. of Thomas Perry, of 38, Chester Street, Wolverhampton, Foreman Tinsmith, by his wife, Jane, dau. of James Darling, of Birmingham; b. Wolverhampton, co. Stafford, 10 March, 1881; educ. St. Andrew’s School there; enlisted 1905; served three years with the Colours, and six with the Reserve; mobilised 4 Aug. 1914; went to France in Aug., and was killed in action at Poperinghe, during the First Battle of Ypres, 10 Nov. following; unm. Buried in Poperinghe Cemetery.

PERSSE, CECIL DE BURGH, Lieut., 7th (Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards (attd. Irish Guards), 4th and yst. s. of the late Henry Sadleir Persse, of Glenarde and Kiltullagh, co. Galway, J.P., by his wife, Eleanor Alice, dau. of Col. Thomas Seymour, of Ballymore Castle, co. Galway, J.P.; b. 17 July, 1875; educ. Cheltenham College and Trinity College, Cambridge, from which he took his degree. In the South African War (1899–1902) he served with the Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry, and took part in the operations in the various Colonies, later receiving a commission in the 7th Dragoon Guards. For these services he received the Queen’s medal with three clasps, and the King’s medal with two clasps. When the Boer War was concluded he settled down in Government employment for a while. He received a commission in the Reserve of Officers of the 7th Dragoon Guards, 10 April, 1912, and on the outbreak of the European War rejoined his old regt. but as the infantry regts. were more in need of officers than the cavalry, he volunteered to exchange into the infantry, and was transferred to the Irish Guards, served with them in France and Flanders, and was seriously wounded in the head, in action in Flanders, 18 May, 1915. He was brought home to Netley Hospital, and seemed at first to be making satisfactory progress towards recovery, but some weeks later it was necessary to perform an operation; blood poisoning afterwards supervened and he died there on Monday 19 July; unm. He was buried in the Hospital Cemetery.

PERSSÉ, RODOLPH ALGERNON, 2nd Lieut., Reserve Battn. The Rifle Brigade, attd. 2nd Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, only s. of the late Robert Algernon Perssé, of Creg Clare, co. Galway, J.P., by his wife, the Hon. Eleanor Laura Jane, née Gough (Creg Clare, Ardrahan, co. Galway), only surv. dau. of George Stephens, 2nd Viscount Gough; and grandson of the late Dudley Perssé, of Roxborough, co. Galway. D.L.; b. Roxborough, aforesaid, 12 May, 1892; educ. Eton and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he had just completed his second year when war broke out; obtained a commission in the Rifle Brigade, 26 Aug. 1914, joining the Reserve Battn. at Sheerness; went to France, 16 Oct.; was there attd. to the 2nd Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and was killed in action at Cuinchy, 1 Jan. following, during a night attack; unm. Buried there. He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. 1915. His commanding officer wrote: “He had taken his platoon to attack a position early on the morning of 1 Jan., and after the position was taken it was found to be untenable, and the whole force was ordered back to their trenches. It was here that poor Perssé was killed. He was an exceptionally gallant boy, and we shall miss him very much. I had already submitted his name for his gallant behaviour near Ypres.” A brother officer also wrote: “What a splendid, brave, cool officer he was, he never flinched or wavered in his most gallant spirit, and his absolute fearlessness and pluck were grand, and were of the greatest value to his men. He will, indeed, be sadly missed, for he made himself so popular with all ranks”; and another: “He was without exception the bravest officer I have ever seen, and the best. His men would do anything for him. This is not only my own opinion, for I know that it was shared by every officer in the mess.” He was a fine all-round athlete and a first-rate shot. He played in the Eton eleven in July, 1911. At Oxford he did well in the Freshmen’s sports of 1913; won the Magdalen Grind; rode in the Intervarsity Point-to-Point, and was whip to the Magdalen Beagles. The President of Magdalen wrote of him: “He is indeed a loss to us here, young and old. Among the first and bravest, he has given his all, even himself. His bright, vivid, daring, high-spirited chivalrous personality had endeared him to us all.”

PERYER, ALBERT EDWARD, Stoker, Petty Officer, 306704, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

PESKETT, CHARLES EDWARD, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 4392, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

PETER, SAMUEL VICTOR, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 1879), 201829, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

PETO, CLEMENT HENRY, Capt., 10th (Prince of Wales’s Own Royal) Hussars, 4th and yst. s. of William Herbert Peto, of Dunkinty, Elgin, by his wife, Kate, dau. of Sir Robert Palmer Harding, and grandson of the late Sir Samuel Morton Peto, 1st Bart.; b. London, 8 July, 1884; educ. Harrow and Sandhurst; received his commission in the 10th Hussars, 3 Feb. 1904. and was promoted Lieut. 22 Oct. 1905, and Capt. 17 Sept. 1910, passing the same year the Musketry Course at Changli Sali, also in Telephony and Hindustani, L.S. Pt. II. He served with his regt. in France and Flanders, and was killed in action while in command of C Squadron at the First Battle of Ypres, 17 Nov. 1914. The Germans had made a strong attack and he had allowed them to come within five yards of his trench, before giving the order to fire. He then led his Squadron in pursuit of the retreating enemy and was shot through the head by a sniper. The Colonel of his regt. wrote: “There was no better soldier in the Army or a better fellow than your son. Personally I was very fond of him and so was everyone in the regiment, whether officers or men. All the time he was under me I have never known him cavel, or grumble, at any order, however unpleasant.” The officer commanding the regt. on the 17 Nov. wrote that he met his death commanding his own Squadron which he had trained so well in South Africa, in repelling a fierce attack of the Germans which his Squadron repulsed with heavy loss. Private Sparks, 14th Hussars, wrote to the “Kent Messenger,” 26 Dec. 1914. “We came under a very heavy shell and rifle fire from a very short distance in front. Lord Alastair Innes Ker carried me a long way and must have been almost exhausted when I saw two officers jump out of the trench and run towards us. They dragged me to the trench by the arms. Private Saintsbury, 13th Hussars, caught me as they pushed me into the trench. One of them bound me up as well as he was able in the dark and gave me a drink from his flask. The officers were two brothers, Capt. C. and Lieut. K. Peto, 10th Hussars. Capt. C. Peto, I am sorry to say, has since been killed in the great attack on Ypres. He was a very brave officer. “He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. 1915 [London Gazette, 17 Feb. 1915], for gallant and distinguished service in the field. Capt. Peto was a great hunter and travelled from India through Kashmir and Turkestan to Siberia, accompanied only by natives, and shot splendid specimens of ovis ammion, ovis poli (51½ inches), markhor, ibex, barasingh, etc. He also shot lions in Northern Rhodesia; and rode many winners in regimental races at Rawal Pindi and Mhow (Winning Post, 12 Dec. 1914).” He was unm., and was buried in Ypres Cemetery.

PETTY, FRANK, Gunner, R.M.A. (R.F.R., B. 1171), H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PETTY, JAMES RICHARD, Private, No. 3199, 2/6th Battn. East Surrey Regt. (T.F.), only s. of Richard Petty, of 4, Cleveland Road, New Malden, by his wife, Helen; b. New Malden, co. Surrey, 12 June, 1880; educ. Elm Road Boys School there; was a coal porter; joined the East Surrey Territorials, 26 April, 1915; and died in the Military Hospital, Kingston-on-Thames, 31 March, 1916, from pleurisy contracted while on active service. He m. at New Malden Church, 3 April, 1904, Charlotte (87, Northcote Road, New Malden, dau. of William Lambden, Henley-on-Thames, and had three children; Robert James, b. 15 Nov. 1909; Herbert John, b. 25 Nov. 1912; and Dorothy May, b. 20 July, 1906.

PHELAN, JOHN HENRY, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., Ch. B. 5716), S.S. 1000695, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PHAYRE, CHARLES FREDERICK, Lieut., 2nd Battn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, 2nd s. of Lieut.-Col. Richard Phayre, of Belganm, Woking, D.L., J.P., late of the Alexandra Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regt., by his wife, Frances Anne, dau. of the late John Jasper Leigh Bayly, and grandson of the late Gen. Sir Robert Phayre, G.C.B.; b. Bangalore, East Indies, 26 May, 1891; educ. St. Clair, Walmer; Repton, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich (Sandhurst Coy.); gazetted 2nd Lieut., Royal Munster Fusiliers, 5 Oct. 1910, and promoted Lieut. 22 April, 1914; went to France with the Expeditionary Force in Aug. 1914, and was killed in action during the retreat from Mons, on the 27th of the same month. The 2nd Battn. Royal Munster Fusiliers formed the rear guard of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, on 27 Aug., and were cut off during the retreat from Mons. They made a gallant stand and retired fighting for three hours. His Capt., who was taken prisoner, wrote: “I ordered a charge, and the company dashed forward, ‘Dicky’ well in front of the right half. We were met by a blasting fire, and numbers of the men fell. He got within 30 yards of the enemy’s trench and there was shot dead, falling with his head towards the enemy, 10 yards in front of his men. Only two men besides myself reached the trench alive.” He was buried at Etreux, with eight of his brother officers who fell in the same action; unm. His brother, Lieut. Richard Herbert Phayre, was killed in action at Ypres, 26 Oct. 1914 (see following notice).

PHAYRE, RICHARD HERBERT, Lieut., 2nd Battn. Alexandra Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regt., eldest s. of Lieut.-Col. Richard Phayre, of Belgaum, Woking, D.L., J.P., late of Alexandra Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regt., by his wife, Frances Anne, dau. of the late John Jasper Leigh Bayly, and grandson of the late Gen. Sir Robert Phayre, G.C.B.; b. Farnboro’. co. Hants, 31 March, 1890; educ. St. Clair, Walmer; Repton, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Yorkshire Regt., 11 Dec. 1909, and promoted Lieut. 1 April, 1911; went to France with the Expeditionary Force in Oct. 1914, and was killed in action during the first Battle of Ypres, on the 26th of the same month; unm. Buried at Gheluvelt. He was gazetted temporary Capt. after his death, 9 Dec. 1914, to rank as from 15 Nov. His brother, Lieut. Charles Frederick Phayre, was killed in action during the retreat from Mons, 27 Aug. 1914 (see preceding notice).

PHILIPPS, IVOR JOHN DOUGLAS, Capt., 16th (Service) Battn. Cheshire Regt., only s. of the late George Gray Stuart Philipps, Chamberlain to the Earl of Moray, by his wife, Mary Frances, 2nd dau. of William Hobson Moubray, of Otterston and Cockairnie, Fife, Commander R.N., J.P., D.L.; b. Portobello, Edinburgh, 8 July, 1882; educ. Ardvreck, Crieff; and Loretto, Musselburgh; joined the Black Watch (Militia) on 31 Jan. 1900, and in 1902 was attd. to the 3rd York and Lancaster Regt. for service in South Africa. He was awarded the Queen’s medal with two clasps, and on his return resigned his commission, but when the European War broke out, at once offered his services, and was gazetted Lieut. in the Reserve of Officers, 19 Aug. 1914. He was for some time Assistant Recruiting Officer at Birkenhead, Cheshire, and was promoted Capt. (temp.), 16th (Service) Battn. Cheshire Regt., 10 Dec. 1914. He caught a chill while on a route march, and died of double pneumonia at Prenton, Cheshire, 8 March, 1915. Letters from his brother officers speak of his intrepid courage, his capability, and the respect and affection he inspired. He m. at St. Mary Cathedral, Edinburgh, 9 July, 1908, Amy Constance Violet, sister of 2nd Lieut. Evan R. H. K. Macdonald (killed in action, 20 Sept. 1914, see his notice), 2nd dau. of Keith Norman Macdonald, of 21, Clarendon Crescent, Edinburgh, M.D., F.R.C.P.E., and had an only child: Reginald Ivor Carew Keith, b. 3 June, 1909.

PHILIPS, JOSEPH DOUGLAS, Lieut., 1st Battn. The Buffs, East Kent Regt., 2nd s. of Major James Joseph Philips, of Rosecourt, Gladstone Road, Broadstairs, late Army Veterinary Corps, by his wife, Elizabeth Mary Charlotte, dau. of James Gould, of South Norwood; b. Woolwich, 3 March, 1886; educ. Selhurst Park College, South Norwood, and by Army coach at Blackheath; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 1st Battn. The Buffs, 20 March, 1907, and promoted Lieut., 1 Sept. 1910; served in the West African Frontier Force in Nigeria from 9 March, 1910, for over four years; was home on leave when war began, and immediately relinquished the remainder and volunteered for field service with his regt.; rejoined at Fermoy, Ireland; went to France with the Expeditionary Force in Aug. and was killed in action whilst leading his platoon at Bois Grenier, 20 Oct. 1914; unm. Buried near Radinghem Ridge, about two miles from Bois Grenier. The previous day he had distinguished himself by carrying several wounded out of the trenches under fire.

PHILLIP, HARRY, Private, R.M.L.I. (R.F.R.), Ch. 10503, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; m.

PHILLIPS, CHARLES, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 3607), S.S. 101254, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

PHILLIPS EDWARD ALEXANDER, Leading Signalman (R.F.R., Ch. B. 8614), 199553, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PHILLIPS, EDWARD HAWTIN, D.S.O., Major, 28th Battery Royal Field Artillery, eldest s. of the late John Hawtin Phillips; b. London, 22 Feb. 1876; educ. Wellington College; gazetted 2nd Lieut., R.A., from the Militia, 16 Jan. 1897, and promoted Lieut. 16 Jan. 1900; Capt. 11 March, 1902; and Major March, 1915, when he transferred to the R.F.A. from the R.H.A.; was Adjutant from 4 Dec. 1908 to Nov. 1909; was employed with West African Frontier Force, 22 April to 28 Oct. 1900, and again 23 Jan. 1904 to 16 Nov. 1905; served (1) with Protectorate Expedition during operations in Sierra Leone 1898–9 (medal with clasp); (2) in Northern Nigeria, 1900, with Kaduna Expedition (twice slightly wounded; mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 4 Dec. 1900] clasp); (3) in West Africa, 1900, during operations in Ashanti for Relief of Kumassi (severely wounded; again mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 4 Dec 1900]; medal with clasp; D.S.O.); (4) in South African War, 1901–2; took part in operations in Orange River Colony, Jan. to March, 1902; and in those in Cape Colony and the Transvaal in command of pom-pom Section, March to May, 1902 (wounded; a third time mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 18 July, 1902], Queen’s medal with five clasps); (5) in Northern Nigeria, 1904, during operations against the people of Semolika (medal with clasp); and (6) in command of the 28th Battery with the Meerut Division, Indian Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, 1914; was wounded in action near La Bassée during the 1st Battle of Ypres, 5 Nov. 1914, three days after reaching the front, and died at Chocques the following day; unm. Buried in Bethune Cemetery. The Inspector-General of Artillery (F. Mercer) wrote: “There was no man in all the Artillery which is under my control belonging to this force whom I would have selected before him for any duty which called for all the highest personal qualifications of a soldier; it was the same in India, if I wanted anything done, or tried. I always knew that it could be in no better hands than his. As a most gallant soldier and gentleman, a thorough sportsman, and a true friend, he will be very deeply regretted by the regt.; and you will, I trust, forgive me, a perfect stranger, for intruding on your grief to say how much we shall all feel his loss. It would be selfish to express my own personal sorrow, but I know that all the Artillery in India, as well as in this force, would like you to feel how very deeply we sympathise with you in your very great sorrow, and how much we shall all miss him, the best type of Artillery officer and the finest example to the boys who were fortunate enough to serve under him.” He was a keen and bold rider to hounds, and recently he took his pilot’s certificate at Brooklands for flying, notwithstanding a stiff arm and hand from having been badly mauled by a tiger in 1911, in the Central Provinces, India. His brother, Capt. R. N. Phillips, died of wounds, 27 Dec. 1914 (see his notice).

PHILLIPS, GEORGE HENRY, Private, No. Ch. 17397, Royal Marine L.I., 4th s. of William Henry Phillips, of 61, Blandfields Street, Balham, by his wife, Lucy Jane, yst. dau. of the late James Jewson, of Eau Brink, Norfolk; b. Wandsworth Common, S.W., 15 Nov. 1895; educ. Hearnville L.C.C. School, Balham, S.W.; joined the Royal Marine L.I., 29 April, 1912; went through a course of training at the Royal Marine Barracks, Deal, also Royal Marine Barracks, Chatham, and was lost in H.M.S. Cressy when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914. His three brothers, Corpl. William James Phillips, Royal Marine L.I., Gun-Layer, H.M.S. Jupiter; A.B. Eric Wilton Phillips, Gun-Layer, H.M.S. Thunderer, and A.B. Leonard Charles Phillips, Gun-Layer, H.M.S. Foyle, are all (1916) on active service.

PHILLIPS, HENRY, Seaman, R.N.R., 3514 A., H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PHILLIPS, RALPH NOEL, Capt., 2nd Battn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 2nd s. of the late John Hawtin Phillips; b. London, 26 Dec. 1877; educ. Wellington College, and Trinity College, Cambridge; gazetted 2nd Lieut., 1st R.W.F. 24 Jan. 1900, and promoted Lieut. 22 Jan 1903, and Capt. 2 May, 1910; was Adjutant, 7th Cheshire Territorials, 11 April, 1911 to 10 April, 1914, and was attached to the Chinese Regt. at Wei-hai-Wei, 3 Nov. 1904 to 1 Oct. 1906, when it was disbanded; served (1) in South Africa, 1900–2; was for sometime transport officer with Gen. Barton’s Brigade; took part in operations in the Transvaal 30 Nov. 1900 to Jan. 1902, and March to 31 May, 1902, and in those in the Orange River Colony, Jan. to March, 1902 (Queen’s medal with three clasps; King’s medal with two clasps); and (2) with the 19th Brigade, British Expeditionary Force, in France and Flanders, from 12 Aug. 1914; took part in the retreat from Mons; the Battle of the Aisne, and was wounded in action near Fleurbaix, 3 Nov. following, during the First Battle of Ypres, and died of wounds in London, 27 Dec. 1914. He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 20 Nov. 1914 [London Gazette, 17 Feb. 1915], for gallant and distinguished service in the field. Capt. Phillips m. at Bridgnorth, Shropshire, July, 1911, Margaret, only dau. of W. H. Farmer, of Gatacre Park, Bridgnorth; s.p. His elder brother, Major E. H. Phillips, died of wounds 6 Nov. 1914 (see his notice).

PHILLIPS, STEPHEN ARLA, Armourer, 340270, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PHILLIPS, THOMAS HAROLD, Private, No. 199, 2nd Light Horse, Australian Imperial Force, eldest s. of the late David Phillips, by his wife, Sarah (Arfyn, Picton Place, Carmarthen), dau. of Thomas Thomas; b. Carmarthen, 14 April, 1889; educ. Carmarthen County School; joined the Territorial Force in 1909, and served three years as Sergt. in the 7th Welsh (Cyclists) Battn., was for five years in the service of the National and Provincial Bank at Barry, co. Glamorgan, after which he went to Australia, and on the outbreak of war enlisted at Brisbane, 2 Sept. 1914; left for Egypt, 22 Sept.; went to the Dardanelles 8 May, 1915, and died 14 May, following, of wounds received in action at Anzac. Buried, Anzac Beach, Gallipoli; unm. His Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Col. Charles V. Stodart, wrote: “Your son has always been willing and ready to do his share of the work, and has cheerfully put up with our many hardships.”

PHILLIPS, WILLIAM, Private, R.M.L.I., Ports./15609, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

PHILLIPSON, ALBERT, Stoker, Petty Officer, 174277, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

PHILLIS, HENRY JOHN, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 5453, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

PHILPOTT, HORACE HENRY, Stoker, 2nd Class, K. 21845, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

PHILPOTT, WALTER, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 5016, H.M.S Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

PHIPPS, WILLIAM HEWETT, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 7552), 291888, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

PICKBURN, FRANK, Private, R.M.L.I., Ch. 15391, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

PICKERING, EDWARD JOHN, Leading Stoker (R.F.R., B. 4551), 293241, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

PICKERING, THOMAS GEORGE, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 3728), S.S. 101346, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

PICKERSGILL, ALBERT EDWARD, 2nd Cooper, 294295, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; m.

PIDWELL, CHARLES, A.B. (R.F.R., Ch. B. 951), 166221, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PIDWELL, CHARLES JAMES, Chief Shipwright, 340922, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

PIGDEN, ARTHUR RONALD, Private, No. 9563, 1/5th Battn. (London Rifle Brigade) The London Regt. (T.F.), s. of George Alexander Pigden, of 23, Albert Road, Stroud Green, Hornsey, Town Councillor, by his wife, Matilda; b. Barnsbury, 25 Feb. 1894; educ. Stroud Green School, Hornsey County School and Clark’s College; joined the Boy Scouts in 1908, the King’s Royal Rifles Cadet Corps, 1911, and the London Rifle Brigade May, 1913. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for foreign service, left England with the L.R.B. 2 Nov. 1914, and within a week was in the trenches, where they remained over Christmas, fraternising with the Saxons who were in the trenches 80 yards in front of them that day. In April, 1915, the Regt. was resting at Armentières, when the Canadians were gassed, and they were rushed up through Ypres to their support, marching 17½ miles with full packs in 4½ hours. Writing home on 28 April, Pigden said, “Threw away all my souvenirs on march, only souvenir am now anxious about is myself,” and the following day: “Am going out to repair telephone wire under fire to-night, so cheer oh!” He was on signalling duty in a dug-out at Fortuin with four others for fifteen days, and though all other parts of the line were being hit, their little dug-out escaped until 2 May, 1915, when he was killed by the bursting of a shell; unm. A comrade wrote: “We were sent up to relieve the Canadians when gassed, there was a heavy bombardment going on which lasted 15 days; as you can imagine our wires were continually being broken by the shelling and it was almost an hourly occurrence for one of our five to run out and repair them, and even deliver the message by hand, we five did this perilous work in rotation, and strange to say none of us were touched while on this task, although other stations were losing heavily meanwhile. Your son was hit by a shell in the left hand on the last day before retirement, and in the afternoon another shell burst among us, I was only stunned, and ran for stretcher-bearers, but it was too late, they declared your son dead on arrival.”

PIGOTT, GERALD WELLESLEY, 2nd Lieut., 127th Battery Royal Field Artillery, only child of Lieut.-Col. Wellesley George Pigott, of Blackmore House, co. Essex, J.P., commanding 12th Battn. Rifle Brigade (now on active service), by his wife, Helen Louise, only dau. of the late Capt. Thomas Donaldson, 3rd K.O. Hussars, by his wife, Helen Louisa Elizabeth, eldest dau. of Richard Andrew Hyacinth Kirwan, of Bawnmore, co. Galway, J.P., and grandson of the Rev. Wellesley Pigott, M.A., Rector of Fugglestone-cum-Bemerton [4th s. of Sir George Pigott, 1st Bart.]; b. South Weald, co. Essex, 3 Sept. 1890; educ. West Downs, Winchester (1905–10), Wellington College (1910–13), and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich (Feb. to July, 1914); gazetted 2nd Lieut. 3rd Battn. Essex Regt. 15 Aug. 1914; transferred to the Royal Field Artillery, 15 Jan. 1915, and posted to the 127th Battery at the Front in March; served in France and Flanders, and was wounded at Brielen, during the 2nd Battle of Ypres, 13 May, 1915, by shrapnel, which struck him in the head. He was taken to the dressing station and from there conveyed to No. 2 Clearing Station at Bailleul, where he died, 14 May, 1915. Buried in the British Officers’ Cemetery, Bailleul; unm. The Officer Commanding the 29th Brigade, R.F.A., wrote: “He was such a good lad, and had the making of a most capable officer, and he will be greatly missed”; and the Officer Commanding 127th Battery: “I am sure if your boy had lived he would have made a very good soldier; he was very keen and had plenty of pluck.”

PILBEAM, LEWIS, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 2074), 212013, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

PILCHER, THOMAS PERCY, Lieut., 2nd Battn. The Rifle Brigade, 2nd s. of Major-Gen. Thomas David Pilcher, C.B., now (1916) commanding the 17th Division, by his 1st wife, Kathleen Mary, dau. of Col. Thomas Goune, 17th Lancers; b. Farnborough, co. Hants., 25 Oct. 1893; educ. Wellington College, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., The Rifle Brigade, 4 Sept. 1912, being then the youngest officer in the Army, and was promoted Lieut. 16 Nov. 1914; joined his regt. in Rawal Pindi, India, in Nov. 1912; served with the Expeditionary Force in France from Oct. 1914 until he was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle, 12 March, 1915, while leading his platoon; unm. Buried in the Cemetery there. He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 31 May, 1915, for good reconnaissance work, and gallant leading of his platoon. His commanding officer, Lieut.-Col. Stephens, his Brigadier, Brig.-Gen. Lowry-Cole (since killed in action) and his Divisional Commander, Major-Gen. F. J. Davies, C.B., all bore tribute to his ability, courage, high sense of duty and his popularity with both his brother officers and his men.