Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Philip Figg was born on 17th November 1882 in Walliswood, Surrey to agricultural labourer John and Esther (nee Etherington). He was baptised on 8th April 1883 at St John’s the Baptist, Okewood.
Philip’s father John was born about 1841 in Wotton, Surrey to agricultural labourer Henry, born about 1792 in Wotton and Eliza, born about 1810 in Capel, Surrey. John was baptised on the 21st of August 1841 in Wotton. Philip’s mother Esther was born about 1846 in Rudwick, Sussex to labourer Seth, born about 1811 and Mary Ann. Philip snr married Esther, on 11th July 1864 at St John’s the Baptist, Okewood. At the time of the marriage the couple lived in Okewood. Philip was working as a labourer and Esther was a servant.
Philip had one half-brother: John Booker Etherington born about 1863 in Petford, Sussex.
Philip had ten full-blood siblings: James born about 1865; Edith J born about 1867; Ellen born about 1871 and Lilly Esther born about 1876, all in Abinger. William Seth born about 1869; Alfred George born about 1874; Mary Eliza born about 1878 in; Harry Ephraim born about 1881 and Albert born about 1886, all in Walliswood and Frank born about 1889 in Wotton.
At the time of the 1871 and the 1881 Census, the family lived at Walliswood. John was working as an agricultural labourer and Esther was at home looking after their children.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Woodhams Cottage, Oakwood. John was working as an agricultural labourer and Esther was looking after their children.
Philip Figg was educated at Okewood Church of England School in Abinger.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Jayes Park, Ockley. John was working as an agricultural labourer and Esther was at home. The household further comprised of their children: agricultural labourers Philip and Albert and Frank and boarders: agricultural labourers Stephen Figg and John Rowland and house painter Albert Ernest Streeter.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family were still at Jayes Park Cottages. John was working as a general labourer and Esther was at home. The household further comprised of their son, labourer, Philip and a boarder, house painter, Albert Earnest Streeter. Esther stated that she had given birth to twelve children of whom ten were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.
Philip Figg attested on 19th May 1915 in Horsham, Surrey into the Royal Engineers. He was a Sapper (also called Pioneer) with regimental number 101462. On 3rd June 1915 he was discharged, in Chatham, Kent, from the Army as he was considered unlikely to become an efficient soldier. He was in the army for 16 days.
Figg re-enlisted on 11th December 1915 in Dorking into the R. T. Depot Royal Engineers. He was a Sapper with regimental number 369845. At the time of his re-enlistment Figg lived at The Green, Ockley and was working as a railway plate layer.
On 12th December 1915 he was transferred into the Army Reserve and mobilised on 18th October 1916.
From 24th – 28th October 1916, Figg was hospitalised for mental observation at the Connaught Hospital in Aldershot, Hampshire.
On 28th October 1916 Figg was transferred to the County of Middlesex War Hospital. He was noisy, restless, incoherent and unclean in habits. The doctors observed progressive enfeeblement.
Philip Figg died at 10.30am on 21st November 1916 from General Paralyses of the Insane (paralytic dementia) at the County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St Albans, Hertfordshire. He was buried in an unknown grave at the St John’s Churchyard in Ockley.
| Born | Walliswood, Surrey | |
| Lived | Jayes Court, Ockley, Surrey | |
| Son of | John and Esther Figg | |
| Regiment | Railway Troops Depot. Royal Engineers | |
| Number | 369845 | |
| Date of Death | 20th November 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Middlesex County Hospital, St. Alban’s, Hertfordshire | |
| Cause of Death | Died of Paralytic Dementia | |
| Age | 34 | |
| Cemetery | St. John’s Churchyard, Ockley |
