Major Philip Llewellyn Howell-Price

Ranks Held Captain, Lieutenant, Major, Second Lieutenant
Birth Date 1894-09-11
Birth Place Australia: New South Wales, Mount Wilson
Death Date 1917-10-04
Death Place Belgium
Final Rank Major
Service Australian Imperial Force
Unit 1st Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
Gazettes Published in London Gazette in 1916-07-27
Published in London Gazette in 1917-01-04
Published in London Gazette in 1917-06-04
Published in London Gazette in 1915-11-05
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1916-01-27
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-06-29
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1916-11-30
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-10-04
Description

Philip Llewellyn Howell-Price was born on 11 September 1894 to Isabel nee Winchcombe and Reverent John Howell price at Mount Wilson in New South Wales. Philip was working as a bank clerk when he enlisted as a private in the Australian Imperial Force on 17 August 1914. However, he had previous military service having spent 2 years in the Senior Cadets, 5 months with the Field Artillery and 8 months with the New South Wales Lancers. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 18 September 1914 and was assigned to the 1st Infantry Battalion. He embarked from Australia on the 18 October 1914 on board the HMAT Afric as part of the first convoy of the A.I.F.

After training in Egypt, Philip, along with the rest of the 1st Battalion, landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, and was promoted to lieutenant just a day later. He served on the peninsula and received two special mentions for the work he did during the period between the landing and the end of June. He was wounded during the battle of Lone Pine in August 1915 and was sent to Egypt to recuperate. He received a mention in despatches for his involvement in this battle. He re-joined his unit in November and continued serving with them until the evacuation of Gallipoli in December 1915.

Philip Llewellyn Howell-Price was promoted to captain in January 1916 and left Egypt for France in March 1916. His work as an officer was soon rewarded again, this time with the Distinguished Service Order:
“For conspicuous gallantry when leading a party, which he had previously trained, in a successful raid on the enemy trenches. In face of heavy opposition and uncut wire he carried through his attack with great coolness and resource, and saw every officer and man back in our trenches before he returned.”
Philip was awarded yet again in July of 1917, this time with the Military Cross for "Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty" and was promoted to Major.

During the battle of Passchendaele in October 1917, Philip was in the trenches and, as he gave the order to move, an artillery barrage came over and a shell burst near the place he was standing. He was listed as missing in action until the court of enquiry declared in December 1917 that he was killed in action on 4 October 1917. His body was never recovered.

Philip Llewellyn Howell-Price is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium.

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 11 September 1894
Date of enlistment 17 August 1914
Date of embarkation 18 October 1914
Date of recommendation honour or award 29 June 1916
Date of recommendation honour or award 30 June 1916
Date of recommendation honour or award 01 July 1916
Date of recommendation honour or award 30 July 1916
Date of recommendation honour or award 03 March 1917
Date of recommendation honour or award 07 March 1917
Date of death 04 October 1917