TILLEY
with roots in Somerset, England
family
the
Philip Lewis Tilley
Philip Lewis, son of Arthur Herbert and Edith [Look] Tilley, did not return home after World War 2. Captain Tilley (service number 226175) of the Royal Armoured Corps, died on 4 July 1945 in Burma. Although the war in Europe was over, the conflict against Japan continued until August 1945.
Phil was born on 21 December 1912 in Compton Bishop, Somerset, and entered Dauntsey’s School in the village of West Lavington, Wiltshire, as a day pupil (living at that time at Lower Baynton, Edington, Wiltshire) on 12 May 1922, remaining until the spring term of 1930. In his final term he was a prefect and also in the Hockey First XI.
He was living in Wiltshire when he enlisted, originally joining the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars and was attached to the Headquarters of XXXIII Corps, Royal Armoured Corps at the time of his death. Phil, who was 33, is buried in Rangoon War Cemetery, Myanmar (formerly Burma) – Grave 1. J. 13. Details of individuals were recorded who were originally buried in smaller or isolated cemeteries, but who, at a later date, were exhumed and reburied in war cemeteries. The concentration of cemeteries allowed otherwise unmaintainable graves to be moved into established war grave cemeteries where the Commonwealth War Graves Commission could ensure proper commemoration.
Captain Philip Lewis Tilley who was in the Royal Armoured Corps.
A 1930 Dauntsey’s School hockey team which may be of the First XI and may therefore include Philip.
Captain Philip Lewis Tilley’s death on 4 July 1945 as it appears in the Commonwealth War Graves records.
Men from all services are buried in the same row as Philip at Rangoon War Cemetery.
Philip Lewis Tilley was baptised in Compton Bishop, Somerset.
Phil is pictured with eight of his siblings in the summer of 1913 at Manor Farm, Cross. He is the youngest with, from left: Herbert Norton, Anna Joan, Ruth, Mollie, Jack, Arthur George, Thomas Edward and Frances Winifred. Not in the photo are Ella Naomi and Muriel.
Phil is seven years old sitting on a chair on the left in this family photo taken in front of his parents home Lower Baynton in Edington, Wiltshire in 1919. With him and Herb and Edith Tilley are his 10 siblings. From left: Geoffrey Wilfrid John (b.1904), Frances Winifred (b.1900), Ella Naomi (b.1916), Edith Mary (Molly) (b.1905), Muriel Grace (b.1918), Thomas Edward (1901), Arthur George (b.1902), Herbert Norton (b.1910), Anna Joan (b.1908) and Dorothy Ruth (b.1906).
Philip’s probate shows his estate was left to his two older brothers, Herbert Norton and Thomas Edward.
Captain Tilley was reburied in Rangoon War Cemetery in 1946 after dying more than 10 months earlier in 1945.
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The row of war dead which includes Philip.
The plaque which commemorates his death.
Photo taken in December 2021 by Peter Vowles, grandson of Naomi who was Phil’s sister.
Rangoon War Cemetery.