Robert Lionel PHILLIPS (1898-1956)

Robert Lionel Phillips (1898-1956), known as Robin, was the brother of Hubert Phillips who was a schoolfriend of Arthur Sladden.  When the Sladden family holidayed in the Newport area in August 1914, Robin and his sister, Jennie, picnicked with the Sladdens.

Robin Phillips was born on 21st February 1898 at Cilrhedyn, Carmarthenshire, the youngest of four children of the Reverend David Griffith Phillips and his wife, Anne Evelyn (née Monger). His father was Rector of Cilrheydn.  In 1904 the family moved to Newport when his father became Rector of Newport.

Robin was educated at Christ College, Brecon, followed by the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.  He was commissioned into the Indian Army and joined the Mahratta Light Infantry. He applied for transfer to the Burma Rifles when it was formed at the end of WW1.

Robin married Eluned Alys Llewelyn Williams on 13th July 1922 at St Dogmaels.  At the time of his marriage he was in the 2nd Battalion of the 20th Burma Rifles.  Their first-born son was born in 1924 at Maymyo, Mandalay.  Two further sons were born in 1929 and 1934.

Robin Phillips retired as a major in 1935.  At the outbreak of the Second World War, he was recalled to active service and returned to Burma, but he became ill and was invalided home.

Robin died on 13th April 1956 at The General Hospital, Birmingham, and was buried at Newport.  His home address at the time of death was given as The Briars, St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire.