PHILLIPS, William

William Phillips was born in Lye and enlisted in the army before 1914. He had joined the 2nd Battalion of the KOYLI and on the 16th August they crossed to France in the 5th Division. They were involved in all the main actions of 1914 from Mons to the Marne and from Messines to La Bassée. They were much out-numbered in Artois but by the end of October they had held the line at great cost. On the 29th October the German forces put in a strong attack near Festubert and forced the KOYLI to retreat. However, they counter-attacked and the line was held. Casualties were high and included Private William Phillips who was killed in action on the crucial day of 31st October. He is commemorated on the Le Touret, Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials