11569
PHILLIPS, John Daniel
| Service Number: | 182 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 January 1916, at Adelaide |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wallaroo, South Australia, Australia, 15 June 1896 |
| Home Town: | Wallaroo, Copper Coast, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Wallaroo Primary School |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith |
| Died: | 1 February 1968, aged 71 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Wallaroo Lloyd Memorial 'Welsh' Congregational Church Honour Board, Wallaroo WW1 Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Corporal, 182, 43rd Infantry Battalion, at Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 1916: | Involvement Corporal, 182, 43rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Jun 1916: | Embarked Corporal, 182, 43rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| 18 Jan 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Sergeant, 43rd Infantry Battalion, John Daniel Phillips was transferred to North Casualty Cleansing Station, suffering with scabies. | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 182, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge, Awarded Meritorious Service Medal for actions on this day. | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Sergeant, 182, 43rd Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
BEFORE WAR:
John Daniel Phillips was born on 15th June 1896 to parents John Daniel Phillips Senior and Mary Richards. A girl called Tottie Phillips can be seen in a photo dated from 1912 at Wallaroo Primary School. She is most likely Johns’ relative because they have the same last name and came from the same small town. It is probable that he attended the same school as that school was one of the only primary schools in Wallaroo. He stood at 5’4, making him slightly above the average for 1914 of 5’2.
DURING WAR:
John Daniel Phillips enlisted on the 17/1/16, two years after the war started. His military service number was 182. He entered service into the 43rd infantry battalion, situated in his home state of South Australia. He was promoted to the role of corporal on the 9/3/16, almost two months after he enlisted. The 43rd Battalion left Adelaide on 9/6/16 for England, with stops along in the way in Egypt and France. After arriving in England he engaged in more training.
Phillips, along with the other men of the 43rd battalion, were ordered overseas arriving in France on the 15/11/16. Two days before arriving, the battle of Ancre had begun, and the 43rd battalion was assigned to fight alongside the French against the German 1st Army led by General Fritz von Below. The battle of Ancre was one of many battles that was fought in the Somme. The battle for the Somme was one of the bloodiest and most lethal campaigns of the First WoWwar. The battle was fought in atrocious conditions, with snow and sleet being recorded during the battle. The conditions stopped the use of British tanks, which had proved successful in other battles along the western front. The battle for the Somme accounted for over 1 million casualties from both sides. Fortunately, John Daniel Phillips was not amongst these losses.
John Daniel Phillips was promoted to Sergeant in France on the 28/8/17, the same day he returned from hospital after illness. John Daniel Phillips proved to be an excellent soldier through his bravery and placing his country’s needs above his own, as shown by the article published about him in the 110th issue of Commonwealth Gazette: 'For gallantry in action and continued devotion to duty throughout his service in FRANCE. On the 4th of October 1917, at ZONNEBEKE, this N.C.O. did excellent work in leading and directing carrying parties forward to the front line. Alone he went through extremely heavy shell fire and ascertained the requirements of the foremost lines. After so doing he lent invaluable assistance in leading and directing carrying parties. Throughout the operation Sergeant PHILLIPS showed an utter disregard of personal safety, and by his action and courage he set a fine example to his men.'
John Daniel Phillips continued to fight in France until the end of the war in November 1918. He arrived back in Australia on the 28/3/19, returning to Adelaide a hero. Phillips had three medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal, and the respect of his surviving men when he returned to his hometown.
Post war:
John Daniel Phillips married Careire Helen Hayes on 22 July 1931. He died on the 1st February 1968, aged 72, in Hindmarsh, South Australia.
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