Notes
Recovered 31.07.2023 from https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/3113249/william-arthur-phillips/
WILLIAM ARTHUR PHILLIPS Home Guard; of Fairlawn, High Street. Son of the late Albert and Charlotte Macklin Phillips; husband of Ethel B. Phillips. Died at Fairlawn, High Street.
Civilian War Dead
Date of Death 17 January 1943 Age 52 years old
ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY
Friday, January 22, 1943 Page 3
Funerals of Island Air Raid Victims
The funeral of Mr. W.A. Phillips and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jack Phillips, who met their deaths by enemy action in a recent air attack on the Island, took place yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. The service was held in the Parish Church and was conducted by the Rector of a neighbouring village. There was a crowded congregation and the service throughout was most impressive. Freemasons of a Lodge of which the late Mr. Phillips was a member lined the approach to the church and members of the fraternity from other Lodges on the Island were also present. The personal mourners were : Lieut. A. J. Phillips, R.A. (son and husband of Mrs. Phillips), Miss Peggy Phillips (daughter), Mr. William Phillips (son), Miss Macklin (aunt), Mr. Basil Gilbert (brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Moreton, of Southsea (parents of Mrs. Phillips), Mr. and Mrs. Stobbs, Mrs. Meikle (representing Dr. Meikle, Portsmouth), Capt. F.W. Boville, Mrs. D. G Russell and Miss de Boe. ` Two hymns "How bright these glorious spirits shine" and "Jesu, Lover of my soul," were sung, together with the Nunc Dimittis as the two flower covered coffins were borne from the church. The interment followed at a local cemetery, where the two bodies were deposited in graves side by side.
The large congregation comprised representatives of all classes of the private and business community in addition to a large number of representatives of business houses and properties in which the late Mr. Phillips was interested. Public representatives included the Chairman of the District Council, local County Councillors, two Police Inspectors and Sergeant, members of the W.V.S., B.R.C.S., N.F.S., etc. There was a wealth of floral tributes.