12 September 2010

39184 Major Gustavus H M Phillips DSO, MBE; RA


According to the British Army Roll of Honour 1939-1945, Major Gustavus Henry March Phillips DSO, MBE of the Royal Artillery, died on the 12th September 1942 at the age of 34. I have been unable to locate this man on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Roll of Honour website but see from other sources that he is buried in St Laurent Sur Mer Churchyard in France.

Major Phillips was a decorated British officer who died whilst serving with the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Although his parent unit was the Royal Artillery, he died in a Commando raid whilst serving with 62 Commando, and had previously served with 7 Commando. He was the son of Lisle and Isabel Forbes March-Phillipps and the husband of Marjorie Frances Esclairmonde (nee Stewart) March-Phillipps of Chelsea, London. As well as the DSO and MBE, Major Phillips was also Mentioned in Dispatches.

Also read about Major Phillips's role in Operation Postmaster.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (UK Army Roll of Honour 1939-1945)
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Special Forces Roll - biography and photo

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