Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research. Thank you to Stephen Hardingham for the photographs of William Philps gravestone.
William Philps was born on 10th January 1867 in Dorking, Surrey to tailor and woolstapler Walter and Harriette Anne (nee White). William was baptised on 6th February 1867 at St Paul’s Church in Dorking.
His father Walter was born about 1826 in Dorking to tailor John, born about 1787 in Dorking, and Elisabeth (nee Attlee) born about 1793. Walter was baptised on 21st June 1826 in Dorking. Walter’s mother Elisabeth died in January 1833 in Dorking. During the 1851 Census, Walter was living with his father John Philps, step-mother Margaret Harriet and servant Mary Bax at North side of High Street, Dorking. Walter was working as an assistant tailor and woolstapler in his father John’s business. Walter married his first wife Fanny Webster Latter on 10th November 1855 at St Martin’s church in Dorking. The couple had three known children together: Emmeline, Thomas and Clara. Fanny was buried on 9th January 1861 in Dorking. William’s mother Harriette Anne White was born about 1839 in Dorking to plumber John and Mary. Harriette was baptised on 28th October 1839 at St Martin’s Church. Walter re-married Harriette on 20th August 1864 at St Saviour Church in Southwark, London.
William had three known half siblings and eight blood siblings: Emmeline born about 1857 (half sibling); Thomas born about 1858 (half sibling); Clara born about 1860 in (half sibling); John born about 1866; Frank born about 1869; twins Walter and Charles born about 1871; Robert born about 1873; George born about 1875; Harry born about 1876, all in Dorking and Lillian Mary born about 1881 in Brighton, Sussex.
At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived in the High Street. Walter was working as a tailor and woolstapler employing seven men, Harriette was at home, and the couple’s children were: Emmeline, Thomas, Clara, John, William, Frank and twins Walter and Charles. The family also employed three servants.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at 89 Park Road West in Brighton, Sussex. Walter was working as a manager of gas works, Harriette was at home looking after their children Clara, John, William, Frank, Walter, Charles, Robert, George, Harry and Lillian Mary. The family employed a nurse and general servant.
On 27th February 1886, in London, William was issued a Certificate of Competency as a 2nd Master in the Merchant Service. At this time William lived at 6 High Street in Dorking. He was issued the 1st Master Certificate of Competency on 11th Mary 1890. By this time; he was living at 3 Webster Road in Bermondsey.
William had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light or brown hair. He was over 5ft tall.
On 19th May 1893 William married Julia Fishenden at St Augustine Church in South Bermondsey, London. William is stated to be a mariner.
Julia was born on 15th July 1871 in St Olave in Bermondsey to mariner Henry Clifford and Julia.
William and Julia had two known children: Elsie Hilda born about 1894 in Bermondsey and baptised on 15th April 1894 at St Augustine Church in Bermondsey and Grace Winifred born about 1899 at New Cross and baptised on 6th August 1899 in Hatcham, Surrey.
On 17th November 1893, in London, William was issued a Certificate of Competency as a Master of a Square Rigged ship in the Merchant Service. At this time William and his family lived at 146 Drummond Road in Bermondsey.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 23 Arbuthnot Road, New Cross. William was a master mariner and Julia was looking after their daughters Elsie and Grace. In the household also lived Julia’s mother Julia. Julia younger stated that she had given birth to four children of whom two were still alive. The accommodation had six rooms.
Captain William Philps died on the 23rd of March 1916 as a master of the merchant ship SS Sea Serpent. The ship sunk after being mined off the Folkestone coast. 14 men died together with William.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM PHILPS
The official announcement of the sinking of the merchant ship “Sea Serpent” has a pathetic interest for Dorking. The captain, Mr. William Philps, was the fourth son of the late Mr. Walter Philps, of Dorking, and unhappily went down with his ship. Captain Philps had been in the merchant service practically from boyhood, and since the outbreak of the war his ship had been engaged by the Admiralty on war work, chiefly in crossing the Channel to French ports. The “Sea Serpent” was mined off the Folkestone Coast on the outward journey on Thursday, and only one engineer and two seaman were saved. The body of Captain Philps was subsequently recovered, and the internment took place at Nunhead on Wednesday. The mourners included Messrs Frank, Charles, Robert, George, and Harry Philps (brothers). Mr. G.S. Angold (brother in law), Capt. Fisherden and Lieut. Fisherden. Mr Leach, as well as the secretary of the Company owning the ship were also present. Captain Philps, who was 49 years of age, was very popular in the service; he and his family spent the last Christmas in Dorking. He leaves a widow and two daughters, with whom much sympathy is felt. Their home is in New Cross.
William Philps Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser Findmypast.co.uk
William was buried at Nunhead All Saint’s Cemetery in the London Borough of Southwark. His grave reference is: 77.32321.
At the time of his death he lived at 67 Musgrove Road, New Cross, Surrey and left his wife Julia £751, 3s and 1d in Probate.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Enoch and Eliza Pimlott | |
| Husband of | Annie Elizabeth Waller | |
| Father of | Dorothy Pimlott | |
| Regiment | 13th Battalion. Manchester Regiment. | |
| Number | 41747 | |
| Former Regiment | G/12499. Royal Sussex Regiment | |
| Date of Death | 9th May 1917 | |
| Place of Death | Near Neuville-Vitasse. France | |
| Cause of Death | Died of wounds | |
| Age | 37 | |
| Cemetery | Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France |
