Arthur Phillipson
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Alfred Phillipson, was the 3rd born of his 5 siblings, son of Mary Jane Phillipson, born at Allendale, Northumberland the only daughter of Henry Phillipson and Ann Hall who were married in the district of Hexham in 1849.
Mary Jane, listed as unmarried, was living in 1881 with her widowed brother, George William Phillipson, an iron ore miner, at Ropehaugh Cottages, Allendale, who had taken her in along with her children, Robert Henry (5) born Allendale in 1875, as was Mary Ann (2) in 1879 and Alfred (11-months), born May 11th 1880 at Crook, County Durham. Between 1881 and 1889 she had moved her family, with the addition of Ralph born at Crook in 1881, to Castleside, although he was not raised by her or any known member of her family. Her youngest son, William Harland Phillipson was born in 1889. In the census of 1891, listed as single, Mary Jane was working as a house charwoman, her only other means of support was Robert (16) employed as a labourer at the colliery. Mary Ann (12) remained at home with her mother as did William (11 months), Alfred (10) was a scholar. Ten years later, now listed as a widow, she was the housekeeper of a lodging house, Ralph (20) had returned to the family home, employed as a crane-man, Mary Ann (22) remained at home and although of school age William Harland (11) is not listed as a scholar. By 1911 the family occupied 2 rooms at Castleside. Her son Robert Henry had moved back into the family home, after the death of his wife, Margaret Ann Siddle nee Lodge, in 1904, aged 42 years, whom he had married in the district of Lanchester in 1901, widow of Jonathan Siddle of Chester-le-Street, mother of 5 children and 9 years his senior. He (35) and William (21) supported their mother (60) and sister (33), employed by Consett Iron and Steel Company as a steel worker and at the coke ovens respectively.
Alfred Phillipson had married in 1904 in the district of Weardale to Sarah Elizabeth (Eliza) Harrison, born 1884 at Tow Law, County Durham and with whom he had a daughter Iverene born October 24th 1904. In 1911 they were living in 3 rooms at 6, Milton Street, Crook, Alfred was employed at the colliery as an engine-man, supporting not only his wife and daughter but also his sister-in-law Ethel Maud Harrison (30).
He took the decision to emigrate to Canada soon after their marriage (Alien Arrival reference 31-255-1911) and was joined by his wife and daughter who departed April 3rd 1912 bound for Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where Alfred had found work at the electric power station.
On August 4th 1914 Britain declared a state of war with Germany, she did so without consulting her dominions, however, the response was overwhelming and in the opening months and years that followed Britain was sustained by her dominions to the end of the conflict until the Armistice of November 11th 1918 followed by the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, June 28th 1919.
Alfred Phillipson answered the call leaving his employment and home at 213, 20th Street, Saskatoon, he enlisted, one of 3,000 recruits raised in 8 days and of those 1,049 who had previously served with the British Army in South Africa. Assigned as Private 1686 to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment), he left Ottawa, August 29th 1914 and boarded with his regiment the S.S. Majestic in Montreal, Quebec. Due to enemy presence in the Atlantic Ocean they put in at Levis, Quebec and began training until they finally left Canada, September 17th 1914 for England. They arrived on October 18th making their way to Bustard Camp, Salisbury Plain. November 16th they joined the 80th Brigade, British Expeditionary Force at Winchester and, departed to France, via Southampton, December 20th, arriving in France as the first Canadian contingent, December 21st 1914.
Making their way across France they reached Belgium entering the trenches January 6th 1916 at Dickebusch. They remained in Belgium during the winter and May 8th defended the Bellewaarde Ridge during the Battle of Frezenberg, sustaining many casualties, 500 men in only 3 days and were commanded by a Lieutenant as all their most senior officers had been killed or wounded. After a year with the British 80th Brigade they joined the newly formed 7th Brigade within the 3rd Canadian Division, December 22nd 1915.
Private 1686 Alfred Phillipson Princess Patricia Canadian Canadian Light Infantry was killed in action July 6th 1915 and interred that same day within Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, Nord, France, grave XI. C. 73. His next of kin, his widow and child, were informed of his death once the burial report reached Ottawa, October 23rd 1916.
After the loss of her husband Sarah Elizabeth and her daughter returned to England, residing at 80, High Street, Tow Law, County Durham until 1920. May 30th 1923 the Canadian authorities sent to that address, the exact circumstances of death, burial, map description of grave, grave number and a photo of the grave, by which time Sarah had remarried to Albert Algernon Sanderson, born August 5th 1888, at 60, Vincent Square, Westminster, London, now living and working as a colliery engine-man at Dipton, in the district of Bishop Auckland and was living at 6, Swinburne Terrace, Dipton, County Durham. Sarah Elizabeth with her second husband had a further 3 children, Bessie born June 15th 1922, Henrietta, May 23rd 1924 and George, February 3rd 1928.
Sarah Elizabeth Sanderson commission at a cost of 9 shillings an additional inscription to be added to Private Phillipson’s military headstone, it reads, “Ever Remembered By Wife And Daughter.” She received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
At the time of Alfred’s demise in 1915 his brother William Harland was in training at Scarborough having enlisted and been assigned to the 10th Battalion (Prince of Wales Own Royal Hussars) Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line. He too perished during the conflict, killed in action, April 11th 1917 and is commemorated at the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
Their mother Mary Jane Phillipson died in 1918 aged 67 years.
Albert and Sarah’s daughter Iverene Phillipson married in the district of Lanchester in 1927 to Henry Swan born at Collierley, County Durham, September 24th 1902. They had a daughter Joan, October 13th 1931 at Blackhill, County Durham, permanent address, “Neathdale”, Dene Avenue, Rowlands Gill, County Durham. The Swan family emigrated to America, exact date unknown. Henry Swan died in 1984, aged 82 years, last known address, Alexander, 72002, Pulaski, Arkansas, Iverene Swan nee Phillipson aged 91 years, November 4th 1995, last known address, Atlanta, 30329, Dekalb, Georgia, U.S.A.
Joan Swan was issued with a visa, September 26th 1961 for a trip to America aboard Pan Am (PAA 55), from Preswick to New York, United States address c/o Les Passees Rehabilitation Centre, Memphis 5, Tennessee. Further details unknown.
Sarah Elizabeth Sanderson-Phillipson nee Harrison died during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1928, aged 44 years, within 6-9 months of her son George Sanderson’s birth. Alfred remarried in 1929 to local girl Elsie Hobday, born July 27th 1892, however, his and Sarah’s children did not live with them. In 1939 Alfred and Elsie were living at 16, Swinburne Terrace, Dipton and he continued his employment at the colliery, while his children had been taken in by relatives Thomas and Bessie Sanderson who had moved by 1939 to 10, Seymons Street, Lancaster, Lancashire. Bessie (17) was employed as a silk spinner, Henrietta (15) a printer’s assistant, while George (11) attended school, Thomas Sanderson (53) was a coal bagger.
Bessie Sanderson married, district of Lancaster in 1943 to William F. Hind and where she died January 15th 2006 aged 83 years.
Henrietta Sanderson returned to the north east where she was married at Durham North West (Rural District of Lanchester and Weardale), in 1943 and died there in 1955 aged 62 years.
George Sanderson died at Morecambe, Lancashire April 30th 1998 aged 70 years.
Their father Alfred Algernon Sanderson died aged 68 years in 1957, district of Durham North West, (Rural District of Lanchester and Weardale), County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Alfred Phillipson is remembered at Castleside on C113.01
