BX March 1, 1915
Not Likely the Report is True – Unofficial Word Received That Pte. Philpott of Brantford, Was Killed in Action
Fears are entertained by relatives and friends here for the safety of Pte. William James Philpott, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philpott, 303 Dalhousie Street, who being a British reservist, left Brantford at the beginning of the war to join his old regiment, the Royal Sussex, which has played an important part in the fighting to date, although, according to the published reports, its casualties have not been particularly heavy. The last heard directly from Pte. William Philpott was a post card dated January 20. He was then in a hospital in France, recovering from a slight wound, and he then expected to be discharged from the hospital and to rejoin his regiment within a few days.
Although she has not since heard from her boy, Mrs. Philpott has received letters from friends in the old country informing her that they had heard from unofficial sources that he was killed. This information lacks confirmation but naturally, his parents and other relatives are much worried.
Lieut.-Col Genet has interested himself in the case and while he is inclined to discredit the unofficial reports he is taking steps to get official information from the war office for the anxious father and mother.
BX April 19, 1915
Brantford Reservist Was Killed in Action - With the Royal Sussex Regiment - Word Received From the War Office That Pte. William James Philpott, Son of Mr. and Mrs. Philpott, 303 Dalhousie Street, Died for his King and Country at Givenchy, On January 27th - Was member of the Dufferin Rifles and Was Employed at Ham and Nott's
This morning’s mail brought the sad news to Mr. and Mrs. James W. Philpott, 303 Dalhousie St. that their son, William James, a private in the Royal Sussex Regiment, had been killed in action on January 27th, and the information will be received with genuine sorrow by the young man’s numerous friends in this city. Although the news of their son’s death while fighting for the defense of his country came as a severe blow to his parents and family, it also came as somewhat of a relief after two months of anxiety. It is now about two months since Private Philpott was last heard from directly, but shortly after his last letter reached her, his mother received a letter from a friend in England, sympathizing with her in her loss. Not being able to understand this, Mrs. Philpott communicated with the writer and received information that the local paper in their old home town in England had contained a notice of his having been killed in action, but no particulars were given. The information came in such and indirect way that the family did not know whether or not to believe it, but inquiries were at once instituted, the commanding officer of the Royal Sussex and the war office being both communicated with, and the answers received this morning confirmed their worst fears. That from the war office was brutally frank, being as follows:
In reply to your inquiry, I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that 8210, Pte. W. Philpott, of the Royal Sussex Regiment, has been reported in a casualty list, which has reached this office, as having been killed in action at Givenchy on January 27, 1915. I am to express the sympathy of the Army Council with the soldier’s relatives.
Every endeavor is being made with a view to the early collection of the personal effects of the deceased, and of the amount due to the estate, but some delay must necessarily occur.
The letter from the colonel of the Royal Sussex merely stated that the inquiry had been passed on to the Records office to be answered.
Was Well Known
Many local friends will read with the deepest regret of the untimely but heroic death of Private William Philpott, as he was well known and universally liked in Brantford. For two years he had been a resident of this city, being employed at the Ham and Nott factory, but, being a reservist of the Royals Sussex Regiment, he answered to the call to arms soon after the war broke out, leaving at once for England to rejoin his old regiment. In his letters home he told of some fierce fighting he had been through, but always expressed confidence that he would return safely to his loved ones. While in Brantford he was a member of the Dufferin Rifles, and also took an active interest in association football. He was 31 years of age and besides his sorrowing mother and father he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Marshall, 11 Webling Street, and four brothers and sisters at home.
BX June 22, 1915
Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Philpott, 305 Dalhousie Street, who have lost a son, W.J. Philpott, in action in France, have another son, Arthur Philpott, who left on Thursday with the 31st Battery. Their daughter, Miss Florence Philpott, was married to Pte. Walter Winter on Saturday, June 19, the latter having joined the 58th Battalion, and will leave on Wednesday for Niagara camp. The marriage was performed at St. Jude’s rectory, by Rev. C.E. Jeakins, the bride’s father giving her away. Mrs. Philpott was a witness, as were also Miss Eaton and another son.
