| Accession Number | P10149.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | 19 August 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of Private (Pte) William George Phillips and Ethel May Phillips (nee Watson). ...
Description
Studio portrait of Private (Pte) William George Phillips and Ethel May Phillips (nee Watson). Phillips was born at Humula, NSW in 1889. He enlisted on 23 July 1915 at the age of 26 in Wagga Wagga into the 17th Battalion. Phillips arrived in Egypt in late January 1916 and was posted to D Company. While in this company he saw action at the Battle of Pozieres twice, firstly from 25 July through to 5 August and again between 18 and 28 August. He was evacuated through 38 Casualty Clearing Station on the 1 December suffering trench feet. His condition did not improve and on 28 July, he was recommended for further treatment in England.
Phillips arrived in England on 30 December and was admitted to 112 War Hospital at Stratford-Upon-Avon and remained in hospital until 6 March 1917, when he was sent to No 2 Command Depot. He was ordered to return to Australia as his feet did not improve and arrived in Melbourne on 24 September. He was discharged from the army on 26 March 1918.
He married Ettie Watson on 19 August 1918. They built a farm at Cookardinia, NSW. Together they had seven children and in 1939 the family moved to Canberra settling in the suburb of Griffith.