Territorial Force Efficiency Medal
Name: Alexander Joseph Philpot
Service No: 855336
Unit: 5th Hampshire Battery, R.F.A.
Naming details: Impressed - 855336 GNR. A.J. PHILPOT. R.F.A
Additional Information
Record of Service:
Alex Philpot was born about 1897 in Northwood, Isle of Wight. He was working as a Clerk on the County Council when he volunteered for foreign service with the 5th Hampshire Howitzer Battery (T.F). Alex was originally allocated service number 4456 which was later changed to 855336.
Alex along with his older brother Thomas were initially sent to India, and were based at Lucknow, when Thomas was injured and died from complications with a fractured leg. Alex entered theatre (5a) Asiatic on the 22nd of March 1915 and landed at Basara with his Battery the next day.
Although not confirmed, it is believed that Alex was with his Battery during the siege of Kut and became a Prisoner of War held captive by the Turks. (Turkish POWs were treated poorly and it is believed that around one third of the men taken at Kut died in captivity).
Alex returned home at the conclusion of WW1 and was awarded the TFEM in 1920. He married Winfred Fleming in 1922 and died the following year in July 1923. (His early death possibly linked to the hardships of his time as a Turkish POW).
Notes:
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal impressed 855336 GNR. A.J. PHILPOT. R.F.A