Ystalyfera Fallen

This is the memorial page for James Phillips, native of Ystalyfera, killed during the Second World War.

The information on James Phillips comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

The newspaper articles below are in chronological order, charting first a visit home on leave, then the welcome news that he was a PoW after being missing, then the likelihood he had been killed, and then the news that this was definitely the case. The final article is the death of his father, at the age of 83, James having been his youngest child.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 1st February 1941 :-

HOME ON LEAVE
Private Jim Phillips, son of Mr. Phil Phillips, Varteg Road was home on leave this week.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 8th May 1943 :-

NEWS AT LAST
After a silence of 18 months, Mr. Phillip Phillips of 39, Varteg Road, this week received the good news that his son. Private Jim Phillips is alive but a prisoner of war in Japanese hands since the fall of Malaya. This is the second local boy of whom news has been received of his safety in this far off theatre of war after hope had almost been abandoned and we are sure that all will join us in offering the family our sincere congratulations. Jim is one of three brothers serving and we take this opportunity of wishing them all good health and good luck.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 15th September 1945 :-

P.O.W. MISSING AT SEA
Sympathy will be felt for Mr. Phillip Phillips 39, Heol Varteg and family, who have received official intimation that his son, Private James Phillips, who was made prisoner of war by the Japanese when Singapore fell, in 1942, is now reported as “missing at sea” since late in 1944 when being evacuated from Thailand to Japan.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 1sr December 1945 :-

SAD NEWS CONFIRMED
Confirmation of the worst fears, were received by Mr. Phillip Phillips, 39, Heol Varteg, on Wednesday by the arrival of official intimation of the death of his son, Pte. James Phillips. The latter went overseas at the end of 1941 and was taken prisoner by the Japanese when Singapore fell in February 1942. Whilst being transferred from Thailand to Japan during the end of 1943, the ship on which he was travelling was attacked and sunk by American aircraft and all onboard perished.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 5th February 1954 :-

The death took place at his home last Friday January 29th, of Mr Philip Phillips 39 Heol y Farteg Ystalyfera at the age of 83.
Mr Phillips had been bedridden for several months and completely blind for many years. A miner at Tirbach Colliery, he gave up underground work in 1924 to work on the surface on account of nystagmus. He was a homely quiet man, very cheerful despite his ailments. He did not have an enemy.
His wife predeceased him 19 years ago, and he leaves five sons and five daughters. One son Jim, taken prisoner by the Japs (Japanese) in Singapore, died in captivity.
Mr Phillips was buried at St David's Cemetery Alltygrug on Tuesday.

Remembrance Grave in Alltygrug Cemetery