“Private Christopher Phillipson, 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, of 6 Field Street, Felling, has been awarded a certificate of merit which states that ‘he has served at the front since the beginning of the war as a stretcher-bearer. His work, at which he is most efficient, has been brought to notice on several occasions by the Battalion Medical officer. He has twice been brought to notice for tending the wounded under fire.’ The certificate has been issued in appreciation of Pte. Phillipson’s services.”

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Christopher Phillipson was born in 1888 at Wrekenton, Gateshead, County Durham, he was the eldest of 5 known children, 3 sons and 2 daughters. His father William Phillipson native of Longtown, Cumberland, born 1862 had migrated to the north east by 1881 with his widowed father, brother and 3 sisters. They were employed in the coal industry, he as a coal miner, his father as a horse keeper, living at 20, Middle Terrace, Coxlodge, South Gosforth.

William Phillipson married in 1883 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Ann Boiston, known as Annie, born March 12th 1865 at Eighteen Banks, Gateshead. He left the colliery and moved to 2, Ship Lane, Gateshead, working as a boot repairer supporting his wife, daughters Margaret (7), Susannah (5) and son Christopher (3).

Annie was widowed by 1901 with no means of support, her daughters had left home to be married, Christopher (13) and his brother William were attending Felling Council School, she had a son Frederick only one-year-old, they were living at 33, Dorothy Street, Felling. Annie remarried in 1906 to miner/stone-man George Patterson at Gateshead and moved into 3 rooms at 50, Wesley Terrace Felling. In the census of 1911 sons William (19) working as a putter and Frederick (11) a scholar, are listed under the surname of Patterson.

Christopher in 1911 was living in 2 rooms at 41 Wesley Terrace with his wife Catherine whom he had married in 1910 and their daughter Mary, 4 months old. He is listed as an Army Pensioner now employed as a colliery labourer above ground. He left his employment on the outbreak of war assigned as Private 6938 Coldstream Guards and departed for the Western Front, August 12th 1914. He served for the entire duration of WW1 receiving a certificate of merit for his services as a stretcher-bearer. Awards; 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

His wife Catherine died in 1923 aged 38 years, he remarried at Gateshead in 1927 Sarah Ann Minto. When Christopher Phillipson of 2, Thornbrake, Leam Lane Estate, Gateshead died aged 77 years, March 27th 1965, his widow Sarah Ann was awarded the sum of 149 pounds, April 13th 1965.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Christopher Phillipson is listed in Felling on F32.22