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STEPHEN THORNTON PHILLIMORE,DEPUTY COMMISSARY, ORDNANCE STORE DEPARTMENT.
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littlehand
Posts : 7086 Join date : 2009-04-24 Age : 52 Location : Down South.
Subject: STEPHEN THORNTON PHILLIMORE,DEPUTY COMMISSARY, ORDNANCE STORE DEPARTMENT. Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:39 pm
"Deputy Commissary Stephen Thornton Phillimore, who died at Utrecht on 7th April 1879, was the third surviving son of the Rev. George Phillimore, rector of Rednage, Bucks. He was born on 15August 1853, and was educated at Christ’s College, Finchley. In April 1872, he entered the Ordnance Store Department (Called at that time the “Control”), taking fourth place in order of merit among forty successful candidates at the competitive examination. He served at home station for a period of some five years, being quartered at Chatham, Woolwich, Devonport, and Edinburgh, until 1877; in the month of February of that year he embarked for South Africa.
He remained stationed at Cape Town from the date of his arrival till the following July when, in consequence of the illness of one of his colleagues, he received order to proceed to Natal. Arriving at Pietermaritzburg, he was appointed senior officer in charge, and discharged the arduous double duties of that post for a period of six months. In January 1878, he was released from the appointment in order that he might return to his original station, Cape Town; owing, however, to the outbreak of the Cape Frontier War, he was detained at King William’s Town, where there was a heavy strain on the Department; and eventually, in February received orders from General Sir. A. Cunynghame to proceed direct to Ibeka, in the Transkei. There he remained until July having the entire charge of the ordnance stores, and the heavy responsibilities incident thereto, living under canvas, and seeing a good deal of the surrounding country in various expeditions on duty. In July 1878, in view of the impending invasion of Zululand, he returned to Natal and the Transvaal, and being attached to General Wood’s column from the time of its formation, remained on active service as long as his strength lasted. On 14 January 1879, the “temporary rank during the hostilities” of Deputy Commissary was conferred upon him, in recognition of his services. The difficulties in the way of transport inherent to the prosecution of the campaign rendered the strain on his department incessant and sever. Unsparing of self and devoted to his work, he suffered from the consequences, and early in March he was placed on the sick list at Utrecht. After several weeks of illness, through which he was attended with unceasing care by his friend Surgeon-Major Cuffe, C.B., and tenderly nursed by his soldier servant, Leece, of the 90th, he died at Utrecht, on 7th April of the enteric fever with which he had been stricken while faithfully discharging his duty. The following extracts from two out of many letters testifying to his worth will serve to show the estimation in which Phillimore was held by those with whom he came in contact: - “I desire,” wrote General Wood, “to record my warm appreciation of this officer’s devoted energy while under my command. Though he was most careful to guard against any unauthorised or unnecessary expenditure, he exerted every effort to supply all my demands, smoothing over difficulties to the best of his ability;” and Deputy Commissary-General Wright, in a letter to the Rev. G. Phillimore, bearing date 21st April 1879, from Natal, wrote: “The feeling of regret for the loss of your son in universal in these parts. He had made himself a favourite with all whom he met, and I can personally, as his senior officer, vouch for his ability, zeal, and anxiety at all times in the performance of his duties.”
Over his grave at Utrecht a headstone has been erected by his family, and a tablet has been placed by his brother officers to his memory in the parish church of Radnage, Bucks."
Source: The South Africa Campaign of 1878/1879 By Ian Knight and Dr Adrian Greaves.
There is a known Grave of this chap. But try as I might i can't find it. Here are some details. Help appricated.
Address ST MARY THE VIRGIN CHURCH RADNAGE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE England
Type: Board/Plaque/Tablet Denomination: Church of England OS Map Ref: SP 786 979
Inscription IN MEMORY OF/ STEPHEN THORNTON PHILLIMORE/ DEPUTY COMMISSARY HM ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT/ SON OF REV GEORGE PHILLIMORE/ RECTOR OF THIS PARISH/ BORN 15TH AUGUST 1853/ DIED OF FEVER AT UTRECHT TRANSVAAL/ SOUTH AFRICA/ ON THE 7TH APRIL 1879/ WHILE SERVING HIS COUNTRY WITH/ "WOODS FLYING COLUMN"/ OPERATING AGAINST THE ZULUS/THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY HIS BROTHER OFFICERS/ SERVING IN SOUTH AFRICA DURING THE/ ZULU CAMPAIGN OF 1879 IN TOKEN OF THEIR/ REGARD FOR HIM AND OF THE ESTEEM IN WHICH/ THEY HELD HIS MANY STERLING QUALITIES
Components Component Material(s) Height Width Depth Condition PLAQUE MARBLE - WHITE 125CM 87CM Good
Physical Description
Wars Commemorated & People Remembered War Zulu Wars (1879) Total names on memorial: 1 Served & Returned 0 Died 1 Is this an exact count? Yes, an exact count How are the names ordered? Not known What information is listed on the memorial? rank, year died, regiment, place of death, forename, place of birth, manner of death, relationships Is a list of names on the memorial held by the UKNIWM? Yes
Maintenance Are the letters difficult to read? No Who is responsible for the memorial?
Maintenance History:
Ceremonies Not known
Sponsorships Sponsorship Type: None Did this include a trust or scholarship? No Did this include a roll of honour? NOT APPLICABLE Cost of Site: Not known Cost of Memorial: Not known Comments on Costs:
Craftsmen Not known
References Co-ordinator's Comments:
Comments: Photographs: 2 Other Documents: None Form / Letter: F Negatives: Yes Drawings / Plans: No Minutes: No
littlehand
Posts : 7086 Join date : 2009-04-24 Age : 52 Location : Down South.
Subject: Re: STEPHEN THORNTON PHILLIMORE,DEPUTY COMMISSARY, ORDNANCE STORE DEPARTMENT. Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:32 pm
Thanks, Pete. Quick work didn't expect both Grave and Memorial.
STEPHEN THORNTON PHILLIMORE,DEPUTY COMMISSARY, ORDNANCE STORE DEPARTMENT.