Jul 11, 1892

Born in Cornwall, Ontario to Gordon R. and Sarah E. (nee McDonald) Phillips

May 4, 1915

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59797 (temporary number 1360)

Ø  Next of kin given as G.R. Philips, father, Cornwall, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Law Student

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to the Depot Company

The 21^st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Jul 25, 1915

Admitted to the Shorncliffe Central Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Phimosis where surgery was performed to correct the problem

Aug 1, 1915

Transferred to the Bevan Military Hospital in Sandgate

Aug 20, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 2, 1915

Posted to “C” Company from the Depot Company

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

May 15, 1916

Granted 9 days leave

May 23, 1916

Granted a 1 day extension to his leave

May 24, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in the “B” Camp, near La Clytte, Belgium from leave

May 4, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Sep 28, 1917

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford, England for the purpose of receiving a commission

Oct 1, 1917

Granted leave until October 12, 1917

Nov 10, 1917

Attached to the Officer Training Course in Bexhill to receive a commission

Jan 26, 1918

Appointed to a commission with the rank of Lieutenant per London Gazette No. 30520

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Feb 23, 1918

Proceeded to Buxton for duty

Mar 11, 1918

Attached to the Canadian School of Musketry in Hythe

Apr 7, 1918

Graduated 2^nd Class from the Rifle course the Canadian School of Musketry, Hythe

Ceased to be attacked to the School of Musketry

Jun 11, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 13, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Jun 23, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Aug 13, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Lieutenant Phillips rejoined the 21^st Battalion east of Marcelcave, France and was posted to “A” Company

Aug 28, 1918

During the night of August 28/29, while the 21^st Battalion was advancing on the Sensee River south-east of Vis en Artois, France, Lieutenant Phillips was stunned by the explosion of an enemy artillery shell, and before he could recover from the shock, was overcome by the effects of Phosgene Gas.  He was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid

Aug 29, 1918

Transferred to the No. 39 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Aug 30, 1918

Transferred to the British Red Cross Hospital in Boulogne, France for treatment

Sep 7, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Coninck

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the No. 4 Southern General Hospital in Plymouth

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Oct 10, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Officer’s Convalescent Hospital in Matlock, Bath

Oct 16, 1918

Medical Board at Matlock, Bath notes

Ø  Man still has a slight cough from the effects of gas poisoning

Ø  General condition requires toning up

Ø  Board recommends 1 month of Physical Training and then should be fit for general service

Oct 21, 1918

Discharged from hospital and attached to the CTS (Canadian Training School) Casualty Company at Bexhill

Nov 15, 1918

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Dec 3, 1918

Attached to Argyll House, London pending return to Canada

Dec 5, 1918

Embarked the SS Minnedosa in Liverpool

Dec 14, 1918

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario

Dec 31, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lieutenant

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Sydney St., Cornwall, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Sydney St., Cornwall, Ontario

George Phillips went on to practice law in Cornwall after graduating from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Ontario

Feb 25, 1930

Married to Emma Rosamond Martin in Cornwall, Ontario

In the 1930s, George Phillips was elected Chairman of the Cornwall chapter of the 21^st Battalion Association.  In 1936, he attended the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Ridge Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France

Jun 28, 1951

George Arthur Phillips died while a patient of the Guelph, Ontario Hospital and was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Cornwall, Ontario