Robert Edwin Phillips facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Edwin Phillips
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| Born | 11 April 1895 West Bromwich, Staffordshire |
| Died | 23 September 1968 (aged 73) St Veep, Cornwall |
| Buried |
St Veep Churchyard
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | The Royal Warwickshire Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |  Victoria Cross |
Robert Edwin "Bob" Phillips (born April 11, 1895 – died September 23, 1968) was a brave English soldier. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage in battle. This special medal is given to British and Commonwealth soldiers who show amazing bravery when facing the enemy.
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Robert Phillips' Early Life
Robert Phillips was born in a town called West Bromwich, England. At the time, this area was part of Staffordshire. His father worked as a roll turner, which means he helped shape metal. Robert went to a good school called King Edward VI Grammar School in Aston.
His Victoria Cross Medal
Robert Phillips was 21 years old during World War I. He was a Lieutenant in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment of the British Army. He earned his Victoria Cross for an incredibly brave act.
On January 25, 1917, near a place called Kut in Mesopotamia (which is now Iraq), Lieutenant Phillips saw his commanding officer, Edward Henderson, get badly hurt. His officer was lying out in the open, right in the middle of heavy enemy gunfire.
Robert Phillips, along with another soldier, rushed out to help. Even though bullets were flying all around them, they managed to bring their wounded officer back to safety. Sadly, his commanding officer later died from his injuries.
Robert Phillips later became a Captain. His Victoria Cross medal is now on display at the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum in Warwick, England.
Honoring Robert Phillips
Blue Plaque on His Home
On January 26, 2008, a special blue plaque was placed on Holyhead House. This was Robert Phillips' childhood home in West Bromwich. Blue plaques are put on buildings to remember famous people who lived or worked there.
Street Named After Him
In the year 2000, a street near where Robert Phillips was born was named after him. However, the street was mistakenly called "Edwin Phillips Drive." Robert's great-nephew, Derek Pinches, noticed the mistake. Local historians then worked to get the name corrected.
Some people living on the street didn't want the name changed. So, the local council found a compromise. They replaced the street sign with a new one that clearly says the street honors "Capt Robert Edwin Phillips V.C." This way, everyone knows who the street is named after.
