Ivor John Douglas Philipps died of illness on this day in 1915
Ivor John Douglas Philipps was born in Portobello, Edinburgh on 8 July 1882. His parents were George Grey Stewart Philipps and Mary (née Moubray).
He was educated at Ardvreck School in Crieff and Loretto School in Musselburgh, East Lothian.
On 31 Jan 1900, he joined the Black Watch (Militia). He was later attached to the York and Lancaster Regiment for service in South Africa in 1902. He was awarded the Queen's Medal with two clasps.
In 1901, Ivor had proposed to a girl who accepted his hand in marriage. The marriage did not take place and, in 1903, he was successfully sued for breach of promise of marriage in the Edinburgh Court of Sessions. Miss Lily Whitehead, a booking clerk at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, received £200 and expenses.
Ivor resigned his commission on return to Britain. On 9 July 1908, he married Amy Constance Violet Macdonald in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh.
They had one child, Reginald Ivor Carew Keith, born on 3 June 1909. At the 1911 Census, Amy and their son were living/staying with her parents in Harrogate.
On 19 August 1914, Ivor re-enlisted immediately on the outbreak of the 'European War' (sic) and was gazetted Lieutenant in the Reserve of Officers. He initially served as the Assistant Recruiting Officer at Birkenhead, Cheshire.
On 10 December 1914, he was promoted Captain (temp) 16th Cheshire Regiment.
Catching a chill while on a route march, he died of double pneumonia at Prenton, a suburb of Birkenhead, Cheshire on 8 March 1915. He is buried in Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh.
Letters from his brother officers speak of "his intrepid courage, his capability and the respect and affection he inspired".
Ivor’s brother-in-law Evan Macdonald was killed in action at the Battle of Aisne 20 September 1914.
Captain Ivor John Douglas Philipps, 16th Bn Cheshire Regiment