George Phillips (1881 – 1901)

George Phillips was born on 15 May 1881 in Newbury, the son of Albert Thomas and Fanny, nee Harrison, Phillips. Albert and Fanny had married on 19 January 1874 at Newbury parish church.

George briefly attended St Nicolas Church of England school, starting on 22 March 1889 and leaving just a few months later on 5 September 1889. At the time the family were living in Jack Street in Newbury and his father Albert was an ostler.

In the 1891 census George was recorded with his parents and siblings Kate aged 12, James aged 8, Fanny aged 6 and Alice aged 3 living at 9 Dellers Yard in Speen. His father Albert was a groom.

Sadly, George died on 8 March 1901 when a wall he was helping demolish collapsed and he was buried in the debris. An inquest was held and the verdict returned was that he was accidentally killed by a wall falling on him which he was employed to take down.

George was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 12 March 1901.

George’s parents placed an announcement in the Newbury Weekly News dated 14 March 1901 as below.

ALBERT THOMAS and FANNY PHILLIPS wish to thank everyone of those who so kindly expressed their sympathy to them in their terrible loss – No 1, Jack Street, Newbury.

George’s parents Albert Thomas and Fanny Phillips were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 16 February 1904 and 27 December 1922 respectively. His brother James Phillips was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 September 1910.

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