We Remember

Phillip King

Phillip King
Rank: 
Sergeant
Regimental number: 
6979 (BEF) 513666 (CEF)
Unit at enlistment: 
2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment
Force: 
B.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Wounded: 
Yes
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Kent
Birth city: 
Dover
Address at enlistment: 
33 Park Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
33 Park Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Labourer
Employer: 
Cockshutt Plow Co.
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
19

Letters and documents

BX January 28, 1915
 
Is Back in Hospital – Sergt. King of Brantford is Suffering from Rheumatism as Result of His Experiences
 
Further word has been received by his wife from Sergeant P. King of this city, who is now in the Tuston Ward Temperance hospital, Hampstead Road, London. He is in the hospital suffering from rheumatism, after having recovered from his wounds and returned to the front. Anent this, he says, "It can't be wondered at when we were standing up to our knees in water for about ten days off and on. It was terrible and bitter cold, but I am home again, thank God."

He states that he will be in the hospital for some time yet, and would prefer to stay there for the rest of the war, but he expects to be out again and sent back to the front. By that time, however, he points out, the weather will be much better. In the hospital, for the third time in two months he was able to take his clothes off before he went to sleep.

Sergeant King was in the fighting at Cambrai, La Bassee and Quinchey and states that it was terrible to see the men killed.

BX December 31, 1914

Coming Home Next Summer – Brantford Reservist Expects That Allies Will be Victorious Before Then

The following letter from Sergeant Phillip King, latter of G. Company of the Dufferin Rifles, now of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment gives a splendid indication of the feeling of British soldiers in the present war. He was a reservist of the British army residing in Brantford with his family at 33 Park Avenue, and when the call came he promptly answered. He was wounded and taken back to the hospital base at Boulogne, but at the time that the letter was written he had recovered and was about to rejoin his regiment on the firing line. He was confident of success for the British arms, hoping to be back again in this city by next summer.

The letter, which was received by his wife, is as follows:

December 10, 1914

My Dear Wife,
    
Just a few lines, hoping to find you and the children quite well, as I am glad to say I am better now. I am patiently waiting for a letter from you to know how little Willie is getting on. You will see by the letter that it is a month ago since I heard from you. I am not blaming you for not writing, as I have been moved about a bit lately. I am just writing to tell you I am shifting from Boulogne base tomorrow, as I am able again to rejoin my regiment, the 2nd Royal Sussex. I don’t think that the job can last long. I hope to be home in the summer at least, but we must hope for the best. I can tell you it is cruel over here in France in the firing line, but never mind, we have so much to go through. We are losing a lot of men from my regiment. It is cruel to see them.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Under the circumstances for me it will be little different from any other day as we must do our duty. Good-bye and good luck.

Your loving husband,

Phil

BX December 23, 1914

Another Brantford Man Wounded on Battlefield – Sergeant King in the Hospital

Mrs. Phillip King, wife of Sergeant Phillip King, a late member of G. Company, of the Dufferin Rifles, who left the city to rejoin the Royal Sussex Regiment, of which he was a reservist, has received word that her husband  has been wounded, though not seriously so. The news in question was received by Mrs. King last evening, just a short time before she started out to attend the Christmas tree for soldiers’ children at the Dufferin Rifles armories. The place of action was not given nor was there any detail given as to how the wound was received. King is being well taken care of.

Sergeant King was employed at the Cockshutt Plow Company and resided at 33 Park Avenue. He left with the large number of reservists who were given a sendoff on August 17, by the citizens. He did not leave for the front at once, however as up to the time that the Canadian contingent arrived at Salisbury he was stationed at Dover.

BX March 27, 1916
 
Pte. P. King Has returned Home

Private Philip King of the Royal Sussex Regiment, who was called home with the reservists at the beginning of the war, returned to the city yesterday, arriving here on the 10 o’clock radial car. Previous to his being recalled home Private King was a sergeant in the 38th Dufferin Rifles. He has spent considerable time in the trenches in France, where he engaged in some very severe fighting.

Close to 200 invalided soldiers reached Quebec on Saturday evening from St. John, where they disembarked from the Allan lined Sicilian. Among the number were two Brantford men, G.W. Dean and A. Herod.

BX June 6, 1919

Received Mons Star

Sergeant P. King, 11 Able Avenue, received yesterday the Mons ribbon and 1914 Star, awarded to the first seven divisions in France, August to November 1914. Sgt. King served with the 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment. He is the first Brantford recipient. The star is crossed by two bayonets, surmounted by a laurel wreath, and pendant from a royal crown. On the reverse the name of the recipient is stamped. The star is of bronze guilt.

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