Page 60 - Battle of Paschendaele

Philip Baylis Jarvis continued

was as cool when ordered to France as though he was just about to start on an ordinary
holiday."
(Taken from the Redditch indicator)

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The Redditch Standard Archives – 5 August 2014

THE LIGHTS went out across Redditch as residents gathered to reflect on the sacrifices of
those who fought and lost their lives in the First World War.
Homes and businesses were urged to place a solitary candle in their window or leave just a
single light on at 11pm on Monday (August 4) to mark the 100th anniversary of Britain’s
entry into what was supposed to be ‘the war to end all wars’.
St Philip’s Church hosted the Remembering Redditch’s Fallen Heroes Exhibition and one of
those featured was:-
Philip B Jarvis
Philip Baylis Jarvis was born in July of 1896 in Millsboro Road, Redditch. He was the eldest of
Walter, a coal merchant, and Emily Jarvis’ three children. The family lived at 7, Archer Road
and between working as a timekeeper at Millward’s needlemaking factory Philip was also a
Methodist lay preacher on the Redditch circuit.
He joined the Army on December 10th, 1915 aged 19 years and five months, enlisting just a
month after the death of his father.
Philip wasn’t actually required to go to war as he was in an exempt occupation at the time
the conflict broke out, working for Huin and Seden, but he felt it was his duty to go.
Described as 5ft 10ins tall, Philip served as a gunner with the 289th Siege Battery unit of the
Royal Garrison Artillery, first entering the war on September 4th, 1916.
He was to survive just over a year before being killed in action on October 27th, 1917 aged
21. He was buried in the Klein- Vierstraat Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium.
Artefacts later returned to his mother included a bible, photographs, wallet, a shaving brush
and a pair of gold rimmed spectacles. His mother acknowledged receipt of the items by
adding ‘with sincere thanks’ at the end of the official form.
Following news of his death his employer Mr F C Huin wrote to Philip’s mother. In the letter
he described him as ‘unselfish at all times, so trustworthy and faithful’ and who felt it was
his duty to go and fight.

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