Gunner Augustus Phipps, a 34-year-old Electrical Engineer with prior service in the Royal North-West Mounted Police when he enlisted with the Canadian Field Artillery in 1916. As a Staff-Sergeant, Phipps served with the Militairy Police, shortly after landing in England.
Enlistment of Augustus Henry Constantine Phipps
Pvt Augustus Henry Constantine Phipps 1260444 attested with 15th Overseas Brigade, CFA, Ammunition Column on 29 April 1916, following an operation for left inguinal hernia, 28 March 1916. A 34 year-old Electrical Engineer with 1 years experience in the Haldimand Rifles, 1 1/2 years with 5th Regiment, CGA, and 2 1/2 years with Royal North-West Mounted Police. Married to Agnes Fraser (MacLachlan) Phipps (1890-1971) of Goldstream, BC. They had 1 boy and 2 girls (Adelaide Lepel (6), Charles Norman (4) and Harriet Patricia (2 years of age)). Augustus’ wife the daughter of Murdock Maclachlan of Kilmun, Argyllshire, Scotland.
Phipps Family
Augustus born in Eastbourne, Sussex, England, son of Major Charles Edmund Phipps (1844–1906) and Susan Stewart Geddes. His grandfather the Hon. Sir Charles Beaumont Phipps, a close confidant and equerry to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. His great-grandfather General Henry Phipps, 1st Earl of Mulgrave, a younger son of Constantine Phipps (1722-1775), 1st Baron Mulgrave.
Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
Constantine Phipps was the son of Lady Catherine Annesley and William Phipps and grandson of Sir Constantine Henry Phipps (1656–1723), who served as Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1710 to 1714.
Petawawa
At 12:30 am on 28 May 1916 the Battery left Lethbridge and entrained for Petawawa Camp, Ontario. Men had fell in at 11 pm on 27 May in front of Herald Office. And, the Roll being called, all reported present.
At 6 pm on 10 September 1916, the Battery arrived at Halifax. At 11 am the next morning, the Battery Marched on to troopship, the RMS CAMERONIA, afterwards sunk as a transport. Disembarking in Liverpool on 22 September 1916 and transferred to the 4th Div Amm Col.
Upon reorganization of the CFA, transferred to the Sub-Staff HQ, Canadian 4th DAC on 17 January 1917 and appointed Staff-Sergeant with the Military Police.
France
Private Charles Stewart Phipps
Augustus’ older brother, Private Charles Stewart Phipps enlisted with the 231st Battalion and served with the 72nd Battalion. He died during the Battle of Hill 70, 15 August 1917, aged 45. Given his burial location at Villers Station Cemetery, Charles likely died of his wounds at a CCS. He is buried beside other men of his company, and at a location where Augustus would have several opportunities to visit his grave.
Shortly after receiving news of his older brother’s death at Hill 70, Augustus reverts to the rank of Gunner in order to proceed overseas with the 14th Brigade, CFA, 5th DAC.
5th Divisional Armoured Column
The service of Gunner Augustus Phipps may be followed via the war journal of the 61st Field Battery, one of the four batteries which Phipp’s ammunition column supplied.
Leave
Granted 14 Days Leave to UK on 24 October 1918, rejoining his unit in Thulin, Belgium on Armistice Day, 11 November 1918.
Proceeded to England on 11 March 1919. SoS in Canada on 28 June 1919.
Death
Augustus Henry Constantine Phipps died at his residence 12 September 1946, and buried at Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, in the family plot beside his father.
This post inspired by Allen McAvoy, great-grandson of Augustus Henry Constantine Phipps.
