Ystalyfera Fallen

This is the memorial page for Edgar Phillips, native of Ystalyfera, who died in hospital during the First World War, after having been gassed at Cambrai.

The information on Edgar Phillips comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

	Edgar Phillips To the left is the wargrave in Bethania cemetery

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 16th September 1916:-

Gunner Edgar Phillips Lower Cwmtwrch attached to the Royal Field Artillery was home on his last leave prior to leaving for active service during the weekend. His many friends gave him a hearty send off on his departure and wished him a speedy and safe return.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 11th August 1917 :-

Among the boys home during the week on short furlough are Private D J Williams ... and Private Edgar Phillips, who resides near Crown Terrace of the R F A who is home from France. Both lads were given a cordial reception

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 27th October 1917 :-

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CWMTWRCH/CWMLLYNFELL
Private Edgar Phillips of the R.F.A., whose home is at Lower Cwmtwrch, is reported to be in hospital at St. Leonards-on-Sea undergoing treatment after having been gassed in France. He has been on active service for nearly two years.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 19th October 1918:-

It is with regret that we record the death in hospital of a young soldier of Lower Cwmtwrch, in the person of Gunner Edgar Phillips of the Royal Field Artillery. News reached the locality on Monday that his death had taken place at a Sheffield Hospital, whence he had been removed after having been gassed on the Cambrai front. He joined the colours in the early days of the war and has been in France for a considerable period. Much sympathy is felt with the relatives in their bereavement. The body was brought home on Wednesday and the burial will take place on Saturday.

From The Brecon and Radnor Express, Thursday 24th October 1918:-

The death has occurred in hospital of Gunner Edgar Phillips (Lower Cwmtwrch). He joined the colours in the early days of the war and was in France for a considerable period. The body was brought home on Wednesday and the burial took place on Saturday.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 26th October 1918:-

Manifestations of the deepest regret were evinced at the funeral of the late Gunner Edgar Phillips, RFA Lower Cwmtwrch, who died at a Sheffield hospital as the result of being gassed in action. The body had been brought home last Wednesday for interment, and the funeral was on Saturday. A large number of sympathisers attended from the valley, and the Revs. W. P. Jones (Bethania) and Wm. Jones (Soar) were the officiating ministers.
The chief mourners were Mrs R. Phillips (mother), Mr Johnny Phillips (brother), Mr and Mrs J. W. Phillips (uncle and aunt), Mr and Mrs Phillip Phillips (uncle and aunt), Mr and Mrs Jas Phillips (uncle and aunt), Mr and Mrs John T. Rees (uncle and aunt), Watcyn Phillips, and Rufus Rees (cousins). There were a very large number of floral tributes, including one each from the officers, staff, and men at the Sheffield hospital, from the Sunday-school at Bethania, from his friends at Lower Cwmtwrch, and from the neighbours.

Edgar Phillips was one of 14 men of Cwmtwrch remembered at a memorial service held in February 1919. The write-up in the Llais described his service thus:-

Gunner Edgar Phillips, R.F.A. Enlisted October 14th 1914 Gassed in France and died at Sheffield, October 14th 1918

Another view of Edgar Phillips' grave within Bethania Churchyard, Lower Cwmtwrch, Ystradgynlais