Private Philip Rawlings

Pte Philip Christopher Rawlings enlisted into The Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1942.

Philip was born in Willesden, North West London on 8 March 1924. He was one of 5 children. Prior to joining the Army in 1942 Philip had trained as a carpenter and joiner. He was the son of Lt Col, Charles Henry Rawlings, MM, MID. His mother Gertrude Rawlings née Ingerson. His father a military man through and through boy soldier in the BEF in 1914 and saw in through to the end and beyond into Germany. Awarded MM and MID plus Mons Star with Rosette. Served at Home in WW2 retired 47 as a Lt Col.

Philip was posted to the 8th Parachute Battalion after qualifying as a military parachutist on Course 74 which ran at RAF Ringway from 23 July to 3 August 1943. His jump instructor noted that Philip was "Nervous at first, gained confidence".

Philip served with B Company during Normandy and was discharged in 1946 on medical grounds.

Philip's son Guy recalls:

Unfortunately I know very little other than my father advised me he was responsible for the Bren Gun in his platoon. Captain Connolly was his company commander. He did share terrible stories of barrages coming over the fox holes and this occurred while he was ordered to go from hole to hole with the command to stand down or stand to. I believe this was in or around Bavant Wood, known as “Green Hell”.

Philip returned home damaged from three months in Normandy and was placed in the care of the team at Northfield Psychiatric Hospital until discharge in 1946."

After the war he worked in the Landscaping Sector for major shows at exhibition events up and down the country. This led him to start his own flower shop business in North London which lasted until his retirement to Chelmsford in Essex.

Philip married Sylvia Rawlings née Harris in 1963.

He was awarded a War Pension for his disability but remained on medication for the remainder of his life.

Philip passed away on 29 June 2006 age 81.

Compiled with the kind assistance of Guy Rawlings (son)