Harry Phipps was the first serviceman from Ockbrook and Borrowash to die in the Great War when the ship in which he was serving, HMS Formidable, was torpedoed in the early hours of New Years Day, 1915. He was one of 547 officers and men who died in the tragedy.
Harry Phipps’ story is told in more detail in the Unexamined Lives post: “A Borrowash Dynasty: Paul Slater“.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
PHIPPS, HARRY
Rank: Mechanician
Service No: 295127
Date of Death: 01/01/1915
Age: 41
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy, H.M.S. “Formidable.”
Panel Reference: Memorial
CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL: Additional Information:
Son of Enoch and Annie Phipps, of Yew Cottage, Victoria Avenue, Borrowash, Derby.
Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919
Name: Harry Phipps
Rank: Mech
Birth Date: 15 May 1873
Birth Place: Derby
Branch of Service: Royal Navy
Cause of Death: Killed or died as a direct result of enemy action
Official Number Port Division: 295127. (Ch)
Death Date: 01-Jan-15
Ship or Unit: HMS Formidable
Location of Grave: Not recorded
Name and Address of Cemetery: Body Not Recovered For Burial
Relatives Notified and Address: Father: Enoch; Yew Cottage, Borrowash, Derbyshire