299357 (14318683) Leslie Samuel PHILLIPS, CBE, Royal Artillery & Durham Light Infantry

Discussion in 'Durham Light Infantry' started by dbf, Nov 8, 2022.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Personal Number: 299357
    Army Number: 14318683
    Rank: Lieutenant
    Name: Leslie Samuel PHILLIPS, CBE
    Unit: Royal Artillery ; Durham Light Infantry


    London Gazette : 7 December 1943
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36274/supplement/5328/data.pdf
    The undermentioned Cadets, to be 2nd Lts.:—
    ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.
    6th Nov. 1943 : —
    14318683 Leslie Samuel PHILLIPS (299357)

    London Gazette : 15 June 1998
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/55155/supplement/13/data.pdf
    O.B.E.
    To be Ordinary Officers of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order:
    Leslie Samuel Phillips, Actor. For services to Drama.

    London Gazette : 29 December 2007
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/58557/supplement/8/data.pdf
    C.B.E.
    To be Ordinary Commanders of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:
    Leslie Samuel Phillips, O.B.E., Actor. For services to Drama.
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    See also:
    • Leslie Phillips - Wikipedia
    • In the early years of the Second World War, Phillips worked in the West End for Theatre Royal Haymarket for Binkie Beaumont and H. M. Tennent.The shows were frequently interrupted by air-raid sirens and Phillips later recalled that "audiences would evaporate and head for cellars or Underground stations".
    • Called up to the British Army in 1942, Phillips rose to the rank of lance-bombardier in the Royal Artillery. Due to his acquired upper class accent, Phillips was selected for officer training at Catterick and duly commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in 1943.
    • In his autobiography, he would recall that his anti-aircraft battery destroyed numerous German V1 flying bombs launched against the UK during the period.
    • He was transferred to the Durham Light Infantry in 1944 but was later declared unfit for service just before D-Day after being diagnosed with a neurological condition that caused partial paralysis. He was initially sent to a psychiatric hospital in error but was then sent to the correct facility for treatment.
    • Demobbed as a lieutenant in December 1944, Phillips' acting career initially took in "the murkiest rat-infested old playhouses and music halls in the north of England".
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2022
    PaulE and 4jonboy like this.
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Leslie Phillips obituary: The comedy Casanova who made it to Hogwarts
    image.png
    Army officer
    As war broke out Phillips was playing juvenile leads in London's West End, where performances were frequently interrupted by the Luftwaffe.

    He also worked in the box office and as an aide for stars such as Vivien Leigh. "She was sweet," he recalled. "She used to kiss me when she came into the theatre."

    In 1942, when he was old enough to join up, his new posh accent helped him be selected for officer training with the Royal Artillery, before he transferred to the Durham Light Infantry.

    But he was discharged just weeks before D-Day. Training alongside thunderous artillery had left his nervous system in ribbons.

    "I was in a terrible mess," he said. "I was not terribly well and literally at a crossroads of my life. I didn't want to be an actor. I thought I ought to get a proper job."
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2022
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    • RIP the great Leslie Phillips at 98.... By Alice Pitman - The Oldie
    • During the war, Leslie was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry, but was declared unfit for service just before D-Day. ‘I had a nervous illness which caused paralysis if I undertook any sudden or violent movement.’ His pal Johnny Mould took over his platoon, and was one of the first to be killed in France. The burden Leslie felt at being left behind was compounded by the news that his brother had been badly injured in Italy. ‘I still feel tremendous guilt, although there was nothing I could do about it. I suppose it was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me.’


    • Fred Phillips - IMDb
    • Army sergeant turned electrics worker. Elder brother of actor Leslie Phillips.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2022
    PaulE, Guy Hudson, 4jonboy and 2 others like this.
  5. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Last edited: Nov 8, 2022
    PaulE, Guy Hudson, dbf and 1 other person like this.
  6. PaulE

    PaulE Senior Member

    John Mould was Killed during the battle of St Pierre near Tily sur Seulles , at that time he was a Platoon Commander with C Company 8 DLI . The photo i have of him also shows him wearing RAF Pilots wings .
     
    dbf likes this.

Share This Page