Orders, Decorations and Medals

Family group:

Three: Corporal H. Phipps, Royal Air Force

British War and Victory Medals (204577 Cpl., R.A.F.); Royal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (204577 Cpl. Mech., R.A.F.)

Pair: Private G. Phipps, Royal Sussex Regiment, killed in action, 26 March 1917

British War and Victory Medals (1650 Pte., R. Suss. R.), initial given as ‘C’ on second medal, nearly extremely fine and better (5) £350-450

Henry Phipps

M.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919. ‘.... in recognition of distinguished services’.

Henry Phipps was born in Bognor, Sussex, on 14 April 1896. The son of Mr Frederick and Mrs H. Phipps of 44 Pier Road, Littlehampton, Sussex, and an Engineer by occupation, he enlisted into the R.N.A.S. as an Engineer on 1 August 1916. Holding the rank of Leading Mechanic, he later transferred to the R.A.F. as a Fitter (Aero Engine) with the rank of Corporal Mechanic. He served in France, 25 May 1915-19 June 1916; 29 June 1916-18 April 1917; 10 January-19 April 1918, and then latterly served there until February 1919.

He is recorded as serving in the following actions (ref. Air Defence of Britain, by Cole and Cheeseman):

‘9 February 1916 (Daylight): Flt. Sub-Lieut. W. H. Oakey and Air Mechanic H. Phipps flying from RNAS Westgate in a B.E.2c No.1188 took part as one of 24 defence sorties against one Friedrichshafen FF33e and one Hansa-Brandenburg NW, whose target was Broadstairs and Ramsgate. The result of the raid was none killed and three injured.

19 March 1916 (Daylight): Flt. Sub-Lieut. Deans and Air Mechanic H. Phipps flying from RNAS Westgate in a B.E.2c No.1159 took part as one of 30 defence sorties against four Friedrichshafen FF33b-f, one Hansa-Brandenburg and one Gotha Ursinus W.D. whose target was Dover, Deal and Ramsgate. The result of the raid was 14 killed, 26 injured.

19/20 May 1916 (Night): Flt. Sub-Lieut. J. S. Browne and Air Mechanic H. Phipps flying from RNAS Westgate in a B.E.2c No.1158 took part as one of eight defence sorties against three Friedrichshafen FF33, three Hansa-Brandenburg NW and one Gotha Ursinus W.D. whose target was the Kent coast. The result of the raid was one killed and two injured.’

Phipps was transferred to the R.A.F. Reserve in March 1919 and discharged in April 1920. He enlisted in the Class B Reserve as an Aircraftsman Class 2 on 21 December 1938 and was appointed a Serjeant on the following day. Sold with copied service papers and other research.

George Phipps

George Phipps, brother of Henry, was born in Bognor and enlisted at Littlehampton. Serving with the 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, he was killed in action in Egypt, 26 March 1917, aged 22 years. His name is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial.