5114717 Trooper William PHILLIPS, 53 Recce: 01/04/1945 - Can someone help me please

Im trying to get a picture of my great uncles war grave for my nan

His grave is trooper William phillips 5114717
53rd Regt Reconnaissance
ENSCHEDE EASTERN GENERAL CEMETERY Grave 195A.

Any help would be amazing thank you

Kirsty

 

Hi Kirsty,

I've sent a message to a Forum Member that might be able to help you.

Regards

Rob

 

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=phillips&GSiman=1&GScid=2486453&GRid=14042553&



UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945
Name: William Phillips
Given Initials: W
Rank: Trooper
Death Date: 1 Apr 1945
Number: 5114717
Birth Place: Warwickshire
Residence: Warwickshire
Branch at Enlistment: Royal Armoured Corps
Theatre of War: Western Europe Campaign, 1944/45
Regiment at Death: Reconnaissance Corps
Branch at Death: Royal Armoured Corps


TD

 

"Find a grave" is the first place to look for grave stone Photos.
and is growing fast, yesterday North Walsham (Norfolk)new Cemetery had 15 service men listed there with no Photos. By 13.00 hrs today all 15 had Photos.

 

Thank you much she will be so relieved

 

You have what you requested, but his Concentration Report on the CWGC Debt of Honour database shows that he was initially buried at a Map Reference near Enschede, together with this comrade
PHILLIPS, WILLIAM. Rank: Trooper. Service No: 5114717. Date of Death: 01/04/1945. Age: 26.
Regiment/Service: Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C. 53rd Regt.
Grave Reference: Grave 195A. Cemetery: ENSCHEDE EASTERN GENERAL CEMETERY.
Additional Information:Son of Daisy Nellie Phillips, and stepson of John Hirons, of Bedworth, Warwickshire.

POPE, WILLIAM JAMES. Rank: Lance Corporal. Service No: 14323874. Date of Death: 01/04/1945. Age: 20.
Regiment/Service: Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C. 53rd Regt.
Grave Reference: Grave 191A. Cemetery: ENSCHEDE EASTERN GENERAL CEMETERY.
Additional Information: Son of Mabel Alice Pope, of Battersea, London.

You may already know the circumstances, but if not there are expert Pals on the Recce Corps who may be able to provide details, should you so wish.

I was intrigued by the wording of his Additional Information "Son of Daisy Nellie Phillips and stepson of John Hirons" inferring that his mother, the widow of Mr Phillips had remarried to John Hirons, and William had retained his natural fathers name.

Hirons is a fairly unusual name (although 66 are in the CWGC database) and I couldn't help notice the links


HIRONS, WALTER. Rank: Private. Service No: 38037. Date of Death: 13/04/1918.
Regiment/Service: Royal Warwickshire Regiment 2nd/6th Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 2 and 3. Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL.

HIRONS, A E. Rank: Private. Service No: 24670. Date of Death: 13/04/1918. Age: 21.
Regiment/Service: Royal Warwickshire Regiment 2nd/7th Bn.
Grave Reference: VII. F. 19. Cemetery: VIEILLE-CHAPELLE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, LACOUTURE.
Additional Information: Son of Joseph and Sarah Hirons, of Combrook, Warwick.

HIRONS, G A. Rank: Private. Service No: 20198. Date of Death: 25/09/1917. Age: 36.
Regiment/Service: Royal Warwickshire Regiment 11th Bn.
Grave Reference: I. G. 34. Cemetery: GODEWAERSVELDE BRITISH CEMETERY.
Additional Information: Son of Joseph and Sarah Hirons, of Combrook, Warwick; husband of Mary Ann Hirons, of Ashorne, Wellesbourne, Warwick.

HIRONS, ERNEST CHARLES. Rank: Trooper. Service No: 7906898. Date of Death: 27/05/1942. Age: 21.
Regiment/Service: Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C. 44th
Grave Reference: 10. H. 25. Cemetery: KNIGHTSBRIDGE WAR CEMETERY, ACROMA.
Additional Information: Son of Ernest and Lillian Hirons, of Banbury, Oxfordshire.

HIRONS, JOSEPH HENRY. Rank: Private. Service No: 22640. Date of Death: 10/04/1917. Age: 35.
Regiment/Service: Royal Warwickshire Regiment 11th Bn.
Panel Reference: Bay 3. Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL.
Additional Information: Son of Joseph and Sarah Hirons, of 43, Combrook, Warwick; husband of Ethel Maude Eden (formerly Hirons), of 23, Combrook, Warwick.

I don't know if your William was related in any way to the Joseph and Sarah, but they had more than a fair share of grief.

 

Dear Kirsty,

last night on Christmaseve, me and my husband visited a ceremonie at the Oosterbegraafplaats in Enschede. This ceremonie is organised by André van Aarsen to light candles on the WW2-wargraves to remember and honour them for their great sacrificie. We were houndered to light a christmascandle on your great uncles wargrave. We are more than willing to send you a picture of his grave.

Kind regards, Esther & Eric

If you’re on Facebook please have look at: Een kaars op kerstavond. Thank you.

 

What a magnificent post - here's the facebook page
Een kaars op kerstavond
It may seem a strange thing, but this may have made some people very happy - and proud that so many honour and remember those that gave their lives for their liberty

 

kevin,

great,well done.
Stefa n.

 

Thank you so much this is an absolutely lovely thing you do my nan misses him terribly and she was so you when he passed, I will keep an eye out on the Facebook page very touched thank you