Pte 22418 Philip Stanley Houlgrave

• Age: 28
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 29th April 1918
• Commemorated at: White House Cem, Ypres
  Panel Ref: IV.A.20

Philip Stanley Houlgrave was born on 10th April 1890 the son of John Houlgrave and his wife Clara (nee Hodgson) who were married in 1880. He was baptised on 04th June 1890 at the Weslyan Methodist Church on Stanhope Street. His father's occupation is recorded as a plumber.

The 1891 Census finds the family living at Chester Street, Toxteth Park.
Philip is less than a year old and is living with his parents and three siblings. His father is recorded as a plumber born in Liverpool, in 1847 whilst his mother was born in Liverpool in 1858. His siblings all born in Liverpool are shown as; Henry William born 1876, Ethel born 1882, and Sydney born 1889. Also present is a niece, Betsy Griffiths.

By 1901 the family are shown as living at 42 Chester Street.
Both parents are in the property, Father John aged 54, a plumber and painter, mother Clara is aged 42, elder brother Sydney is 12 and younger siblings, both born in Liverpool; Walter 7 born in 1894 and Esther 3 born in 1898.

The 1911 Census shows that the family are still residing at 42 Chester Street. 
Father John aged 64, a plumber and painter, mother Clara is aged 52, they declare that they have been married for 30 years and have had nine children of whom sadly five have died. The four surviving children are all resident at the property;  Philip is now 20 years of age and is recorded as a plumber and painter like his father and elder brother Sydney aged 22. His younger brother Walter is aged 17 is an insurance clerk and his younger sister Esther is aged 13 at school.  

Philip enlisted in Liverpool on 06th Nov 1914 joining the the 20^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 22418. He was aged 24 years 200 days, a photographer, 5' feet 5" inches tall, weighed 117 lbs with a 34" chest and was of fresh complexion with hazel eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England. He gave his next of kin as  his father John Houlgrave, 42 Chester St, Liverpool.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

3-14.4.17 - granted leave to the UK(probably to see his gravely ill father)

7.2.18 - posted to 19/KLR

21.3.18 - granted 14 days leave to the UK

14.4.18 - rejoined Battn.

29.4.18 - wounded in action, S.W. fractures to leg, died the same day

His father died on the 12th July 1917 aged 70
Liverpool Echo 14th July 1917

HOULGRAVE - July 12, after a long illness, aged 70 years, John, the beloved husband of Clara Houlgrave of 42 Chester Street, Toxteth Park. Interment at Smithdown Road Cemetery today (Saturday) at 4 p.m. (Friends kindly accept this- the only information - no flowers).

He was transferred to the 19th Battalion, following the disbandment of the 20th Battalion in France on 07th February 1918 and was granted leave to the UK from 31st March 1918 rejoining his unit on 20th April 1918.

He died on the 29^th April 1918, aged 28, of complications from gun shot wounds which caused fractures to both legs. Although his death is recorded as died of wounds, from the service records it appears that he died on the same day as his wounds were inflicted. 

The battalion diary records the action of 29th April 1918 as follows:

29 April 1918 

A 3 a.m. the Enemy opened up a very heavy Bombardment of High explosive and Gas shells on our covering Artillery and at 6 a.m.. launched a powerful attack , smothering our outpost line, but failing to pierce the Battalion front, being repulsed with heavy loss. At 8 a.m. the Enemy again attacked but was repulsed. Many Casualties were caused to him during the day, as numbers of the enemy were picked off as they endeavoured to get back to their own lines. 

Casualties were Capt E B Hough Killed, 2nd Lt W. Munro Killed and 12 Other Ranks Killed, 28 Wounded and 13 Other Ranks missing" 

Philip now rests at White House Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. 

White House Cemetery was begun in March 1915 and used until April 1918 by units holding this part of the line. It then comprised most of the present Plots I and II; but after the Armistice these Plots were completed, and III and IV added, when graves were brought in from the battlefields around Ypres (now Ieper) and from a number of small burial grounds.

There are now 1,163 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 322 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 16 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of 28 casualties who were buried in other cemeteries, but whose graves could not be found on concentration. The cemetery also contains eight Second World War burials, all dating from May 1940. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 15th June 1918:

Private Philip S.Houlgrave,K.L.R.,of 42,Chester street,Liverpool,has died of wounds received in France. He was the youngest son of Mrs. C. Houlgrave. 

Soldiers Effects to mother Clara, sister Esther and brother Sydney, Pension to Clara. Amongst his returned property:- Watch and guard (glass broken), 1 cigarette case, 1 pipe (broken) in case, tobacco pouch. He earned his three medals.

His mother in a sworn declaration on 06th May 1919 recorded Philip's surviving relatives as herself and his siblings Sydney and Esther.

Probate records show;

HOULGRAVE Philip Stanley of 42 Chester Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool died 29 April 1918 in France. Administration Manchester 19 April 1929 to Clara Houlgrave, widow. Effects £376 15 s 3d. (There follows a hand written note :Further grant 09th August 1937). 

The revised Probate follows the death of Philip's mother on 09th May 1937:

HOULGRAVE Philip Stanley of 42 Chester Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool died 29 April 1918 in France. Administration Manchester 09th August 1937 to Sydney Morton Houlgrave master painter and decorator and Esther Sheffield widow.  Effects £599 15s 1d.    

Philip is also remembered on the family headstone located in Toxteth Cemetery, Liverpool.

His father John died 12th July 1917 aged 70. 

Liverpool Echo 14th July 1917

HOULGRAVE - July 12, after a long illness, aged 70 years, John, the beloved husband of Clara Houlgrave of 42 Chester Street, Toxteth Park. Interment at Smithdown Road Cemetery today (Saturday) at 4 p.m. (Friends kindly accept this- the only information - no flowers).

We currently have no further information on Philip Stanley Houlgrave, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.