1939-45 Star; Africa Star with 1st Army clasp; War Medal 1939-45 - unnamed as awarded
Harry Maxwell Phillips was born in Camberwell, London on 20 May 1916. According to the 1939 Register he was a Nurse living with his parents at 15 Hillfield Avenue Carshalton in Surrey. He was a Male Nurse in the Mental Health field when he attested for service in the RAMC for WWII on 12 September 1940. Posted to North Africa he was severely injured in a train accident in August 1943.
Having married before embarking on service, his wife received a letter dated 17 August stating that he was lying Dangerously Ill in 103 General Hospital suffering from "Fractured Arm arm and Wounds", and assuring her that he was receiving every care and attention.
A follow-up letter dated 31 August 1943 informed his wife that, "a cable has just been received from North Africa stating that L/Cpl Phillips is making such good progress that his condition is no longer considered serious."
The Red Cross were also keeping Mrs Phillips abreast of developments - a letter to her dated 7 September informing her that "he is out of danger and doing well." All of these were addressed to her at 13 Mulchelney Road, Morden, Surrey which, according to the 1939 Register was the home of Phillips' father-in-law, George Edwards - his wife Doreen was living with her parents at the time.
Perhaps the most detailed report to Mrs Phillips came in a letter addressed to her on 11 August 1943 from Matron L. Shutter of the 103rd General Hospital, British North Africa Force. It read as follows,
"Dear Mrs Phillips - Your husband 7835742 Cpl Harry Phillips of 20th Ambulance Train (RAMC) was admitted to this hospital yesterday after a Train Accident, in which he sustained a fractured Arm (left) and Multiple Wounds. His condition was critical, and he was placed on the Dangerously Ill List.
I am sure you will be very anxious and worried, but you may rest assured he is having every available treatment, care and attention here. There is a very slight improvement in his general condition now, which we hope will continue.
If your husband is unable to write to you himself in a few days time, I will write again, and shall hope to give you a better report."
He died in Bristol in 1978.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with Soldier's Service & Pay Book and several letters/reports regarding the injury he sustained in the train accident.
