Thomas Martin Phillips – Royal Air Force, 103rd Squadron

Second Lieutenant Thomas Martin Phillips – Royal Air Force, 103^rd Squadron

Birth and Family Background

Howell Phillips and Hannah Williams
marriage certificate
 Holy Trinity Church, Llanybri, Llanstephen

Thomas Martin Phillips was born in 1894 at Llangain. He was the son of Howell Phillips and Hannah Williams, who were married in 1893 at Holy Trinity Church, Llanybri, Llanstephen.

Early Life

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Phillips family were living at Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire. Howell Phillips (25) was employed as a signalman with the Great Western Railway, while Hannah (28) undertook household duties. Their children were Thomas M. (7) and John H. (5).

Also present in the household was a lodger, Hannah Williams (57), together with her daughter’s infant child, only one week old at the time of the census.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 8 Penvillia Terrace, Brynhyfryd, Swansea. Howell Phillips (38) remained employed as a railway signalman, and Hannah (38) undertook household duties. Their children were Thomas M. (17), John H. (15), and Hannah G. (13), all attending school, together with William O. (1).

Education and Civilian Life

By the time of his enlistment, Thomas Martin Phillips was working as a schoolmaster, indicating a strong educational background prior to his military service.

Military Service

British Army Service Records

In August 1917, Thomas enlisted for General Service with the Colours or the Reserve for the duration of the war, joining the 28th London Regiment. At the time of enlistment, his home address was recorded as 8 Penvillia Terrace, Brynhyfryd, Swansea.

RAF Officer Service Records

In April 1918, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and transferred to the Royal Air Force, being posted to 103^rd Squadron, a unit engaged in long-range offensive bombing operations over enemy-held territory during the final year of the war.

Operational Context – Bombing Raid near Lille, 18^th September 1918

On 18^th September 1918, 103^rd Squadron, Royal Air Force was engaged in offensive bombing operations against targets in the Lille area, deep within German-occupied territory. These raids formed part of the RAF’s sustained effort to disrupt enemy communications, supply depots, railway infrastructure, and troop movements during the closing phase of the conflict.

By mid-September 1918, Allied forces were advancing steadily along the Western Front following the success of the Hundred Days Offensive. Air power played a critical role in this advance, with bombing squadrons tasked with striking targets well behind the front lines in order to hamper German withdrawals and reinforce pressure on retreating forces.

Death in Action

During this bombing operation on 18^th September 1918, Second Lieutenant Thomas Martin Phillips, serving with 103^rd Squadron, was shot down near Lille while operating within enemy lines. The description “shot down” indicates a combat loss, most likely caused by anti-aircraft fire or interception by German fighters, both of which were significant threats in the heavily defended Lille sector.

As his aircraft was lost over enemy-held territory, Thomas was initially reported missing and later presumed killed. The subsequent recovery of his body and burial indicates that the aircraft came down in an area that later became accessible to Allied authorities following the German withdrawal.

Burial and Commemoration

Second Lieutenant Thomas Martin Phillips is buried at Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery. His grave commemorates a former schoolmaster who transferred from the infantry to the air service and lost his life during one of the most dangerous forms of warfare in the final months of the First World War