H PHILLIPS

Haydn was born in Troedrhiwfuwch November 1896 to Sidney and Lucy Phillips. He had one brother Archibald (Archie) and one sister Violet.

​

In 1901, according to Census Haydn was 4 years old and lived with his father in Commercial Street, New Tredegar. His father is listed as a Grocer/Shopkeeper.

By 1911 Haydn is 14 and lives in Homelands, Pengam with his Maternal Grandmother Margaret, who is a retired Publican, his mother Lucy, who is a Grocer at home, a relative Morgan who is a Publican – Hotel Proprietor, at home, and his younger brother Archie.

​

Haydn enlisted in Newport September 1914 and went on to serve with the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers as private 14894. He was later promoted (unpaid) to Lance Corporal in January 1918. He was discharged July 23rd, 1918 after being gassed in March 1918. He died at his home January 21st, 1919. He is commemorated in the United Kingdom Book of Remembrance and is buried at St Catwg Church, Gelligaer.

 

“Lance Corporal Haydn Carlyle Phillips, a former pupil of Lewis School Pengam, was gassed in the German Spring Offensive of March 1918 and was sent back to Britain to spend time in a military hospital. He eventually died in Pengam on January 21, 1919, due to heart disease caused by the gassing. Because he died at home after the war had finished, he slipped the attention of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission – the body responsible for maintaining the graves of Commonwealth soldiers who have died in conflict. In the years since his death at the age of just 22, Haydn’s grave in St Catwg’s Church in Gelligaer had fallen into disrepair.” Caerphilly Observer -November 13th, 2018.

​

With the efforts of pupils and staff at Lewis School and author and local historian Paul Williams, Haydn was recognised within the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and his grave restored. A service was held at St Catwg’s on the 9th November 2018, to commemorate Haydn’s sacrifice. His name was read out among the war dead for the first time in 100 years on Remembrance Sunday.