Thank you to Jane Anthony and Lenka Cathersides for this research.
Thank you to Winchester College for allowing us to publish the image of Philip.
Philip Habershon was born in the 2nd quarter of 1893, and was baptised on 23rd April 1893 in Redhill, Surrey.
He was the son of Edward Neston Williams and Amy Habershon of Brook Lodge, Holmwood. He went to Winchester School after Mr Tabor’s preparatory school at Cheam. He was at Winchester from 1907 until 1911, when he followed his older brother Sidney to Clare College Cambridge. He would have just graduated in the summer of 1914.
Philip’s great-grandfather Matthew was born in 1789 and was an architect. He designed several churches and other metropolitan buildings in Derbyshire, Yorkshire and the Midlands. He was particularly was involved in the London Society for Promoting of Christianity amongst the Jews and travelled to Jerusalem to arrange for the erection of the Anglican Cathedral of Jerusalem. He also wrote numerous books and pamphlet on religious matters concerning both Judaism and Christianity. Philips grandfather also became an architect but in the 1891 census both he and Edward, (Philip’s father) were living on private means. Certainly in Philip’s generation his oldest brother Edward became a Church of England clergyman.
In 1901 another family were living at Brook Lodge, the Habershons were living in Notting Hill Gate. The family became well known in Holmwood running knitting circles and soup kitchens.
Initially, Philip joined the Duke of Cambridge’s Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and served with them until November 1914, when he obtained a commission in the Kings Royal Rife Corps. He was with the 9th Battalion and was involved in the action at Hooge in the Ypres Salient on 15th July 1915. This was the first time that flame throwers were used.
The Late Lieut. P. H. Habershon
The death of Lieut. Habershon, King’s Royal Rifles, was announced in our last issue. Mr. and Mrs. Habershon, of Brook Lodge, Holmwood have received a gracious telegram of sympathy from their Majesties the King and Queen.
Philip Habershon Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
2nd Lieut. P. H. Habershon, King’s Royal Rifles, temporarily attached to the Rifle Brigade (killed in action). Youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Habershon, Brook Lodge, Holmwood.
Philip Habershon Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
At the time of his death, Lieutenant Habershon was temporarily attached to the Rifle Brigade. He was killed in action during the attack on the German trenches at Bellewaerde Farm near Ypres, Belgium, on 25th September 1915. The 9th Battalion only returned from the Rest Area in Poperinghe the day before the attack. Philip’s body was never found.
Philip Habershon received the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
Death of Lt. P. H. Habershon “A very capable Soldier”
We regret to record the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Habershon, of Brook Lodge, The Holmwood, have received official intimation of the death on the battlefield of their third and youngest son, 2nd Lieut. Philip H. Habershon, who was killed on Saturday last during the attack on the German trenches near Ypres. Lieut. Habershon, who was in his 23rd year, was educated at Winchester and Clare College, Cambridge. He joined the Army shortly after the commencement of the war, serving for a time in the Middlesex Regiment; he obtained his commission in the King’s Royal Rifles in December last, and after spending several months on the East Coast, where he had some experience of enemy air raids, he left for the front early in August. At the time of his death Lieut. Habershon was temporarily attached to the Rifle Brigade. Mr. and Mrs. Habershon have received a message of sympathy from Lord Kitchener, and the Commanding Officer, in expressing his personal sympathy at the gallant young officer’s loss, speaks of him as “as very capable soldier and charming companion.”
Philip Habershon Obituary © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Philip Habershon of Brook Lodge, Holmwood, Dorking, Surrey, the 2nd Lieutenant Kings’ Royal Rifle Corps left to his father Edward Neston Williams Habershon Esq., £174, 8s and 7d in probate. His father also received Philip’s Soldier’s Effects.
Menin Gate Roll of Honour © CWGC.org
Philip Habershon is commemorated at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium on the panels 51 and 53.
His older brother Sidney was also killed on 10 April 1918, leaving the oldest brother Reverend Edward Habershon as the only surviving son in the family.
| Born | Redhill, Surrey | |
| Lived | Holmwood, Surrey | |
| Son of | Edward Neston Williams and Amy Habershon of Brook Lodge, Holmwood | |
| Brother of | Sidney and Edward Habershon | |
| Regiment | 9th Battalion, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps | |
| Former Regiment | Duke of Cambridge’s Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment | |
| Date of Death | 25th September 1915 | |
| Place of Death | Bellewaard, Belgium | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 22 | |
| Memorial | Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial |
