Philip John Christian (known to his family as Pop) was killed in action on 13 December, 1944 near Groeningen which is north east of Overloon. He was aged 23 at the time. He was a Private in the 1st Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment (Service No.  3770641). He was initially buried on the premises of Huijsmans, Rieterdreef Overloon and re-interred on12 May 1947 in grave I. E. 10 in the Overloon CWG Cemetery. The inscription on his grave reads “Kind, thoughtful and true. My proudest possessions, son, are memories of you.”

Family background

Philip John Christian was the son of Philip Edward and Martha Ann Jane Graham who had married on 21 December 1919 at St Cuthbert’s, Everton, Liverpool.

Philip Edward Christian’s parents were Jeremiah Christian and Elizabeth Ann Kannaugh who had married in Liverpool on 18 October 1891. Jeremiah was a Railway Porter at that time. He was born in 1866 in Kirkpatrick, Isle of Man. Elizabeth Ann was born on 22 October 1870 in Peel on the Isle of Man. They had children as follows: Catherine Eliza 1893, Philip Edward 21 June 1897 and Helena May 10 May 1902. Catherine was born in Toxteth, Liverpool; Philip in Peel and Helena in Kirkpatrick, Isle of Man.

In 1901 Jeremiah and Eliza were living at 38, St Germans Place, Peel with children Catherine and Philip. Jeremiah was now working as a Mariner. However, by 1911, Jeremiah and Eliza Ann Christian had moved to 36 Mitford Street, Everton, Liverpool with their three children. Jeremiah was still working as an Able Bodied Mariner and Catherine was an assistant at a supper bar. Oddly, Jeremiah was also recorded as being on board the Paddle Steamer  “Prince of Wales” which was docked at Birkenhead. It was a passenger vessel originating in Douglas, Isle of Man.

Philip’s sister, Catherine Elizabeth Christian, married William Richard Taylor (born 1890) on 28 December 1913 in Liverpool. They both gave an address of 38 Cockrane Street. William was also a Mariner.

Philip Edward Christian served in WW1 as a Private in the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment (Service No 241552). He had previously served in the 2/6th K.L.R. (Service No. 3690). He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Martha Ann Jane Graham’s parents were John Graham and Alice Berry who had married in 1890 in Liverpool. John was born in 1869 in Liverpool and Alice in 1872 in Crewe, Cheshire. They had children as follows, all in the West Derby district of Liverpool: Elizabeth 1891, Florence May 6 April 1893, Alice 1895, Martha Ann Jane 15 February 1897, John 1899, Peter 1901 and Eva 1903. However, John died aged 1 in 1900 and Eva aged 0 in 1904.

Oddly, in 1891, John and Alice were living in the same household but described as single. The address was 2 & 4, Drayton Street, Everton, West Derby, Lancashire. The head of the household was William Kendrick, a 23 year old painter born in Liverpool. With William was his wife, Rebecca, who was 25 and born in Crewe, Cheshire and their 1 year old son, William J Kendrick. Alice was shown as Alice Berry and was Rebecca Kendrick’s sister. She was working as a Domestic Servant. John Graham was shown as a Lodger and was working as a Paper Hanger. Also present was 9 year old Eliza Berry, another sister of Rebecca and Alice.

In 1901 John and Alice Graham were living in their own house at 38, Burnand Street, Everton, West Derby. With them were their five surviving children. John was still working as a Paper Hanger. In 1911, John and Alice were living at 6 Louisa Street, Everton, Liverpool. With them were their surviving children with the exception of Florence. John was working as a Jobber for a Building Contractor.

At the time of Philip and Martha’s marriage in Liverpool on 21 December 1919, Philip was living at 50 Vienna Street and was working as a Tram Conductor. Martha was living at 12 Eschen Street. They went on to have children in West Derby as follows: Philip John 26 February 1921, Ronald W 13 June 1924 and Doreen 1 June 1929. Philip John was known to his family as “Pop”.

In June 1921, Philip and Martha Christian were living in the household of Philip’s widowed mother, Eliza Christian, at 23, Mere Lane, Liverpool, Everton with Pop who was 5 months old. Philip (Snr) was working as a Conductor on Liverpool Corporation Tramways. Also present was his sister, Helena Christian who was working as a Sewing Maid. Also there was another grandchild of Eliza’s – Elsie Ellis Christian, aged 4 months and born in Liverpool – believed to be the daughter of Helena. There too were three boarders: John and Florence Williams and son John W Williams. John was born in 1864, Florence in 1893 and young John in 1916. John was a Dock Labourer of No Fixed Place. It is thought that Florence was Martha’s sister.

Helena May Christian married William Hutchin on 25 May 1922 at St George’s Everton. Her address was given as 23 Mere Lane. William was born on 3 February 1892 and was a Licensed Victualler living at 201 Hornby Street. Helena’s father was named as Jeremiah Christian who had been a Rigger but was deceased. William’s father was Thomas Hutchin who had been a Licensed Victualler and was also deceased. Philip and Martha were the witnesses. Helena and William had two children in West Derby: Dorothy C 1930 and Marjorie 26 October 1933.

It is known that Pop attended Loraine Street Council School in Everton.

In September 1939, Philip and Martha were still living at 23 Mere Lane, Liverpool, but Philip was now the head of the household. With them were Ronald and Doreen. Philip was an Electric Tram Driver and Ronald was a Lift Boy. At this time, Philip’s sister, Helena May Hutchin, was living at 46 Boundary Lane, Liverpool with her husband who was still a Licensed Victualler. An unnamed child was present (probably Dorothy) and also Marjorie. There too was Helena’s mother, Eliza A Christian, who was described as incapacitated and also Elsie Christian who was working as a Shop Assistant.

Military Career

Pop had enlisted in the King’s Regiment as a Boy Soldier on 1 April 1936 at Seaforth in Liverpool when he was just 15. This is more correctly referred to as the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment in which his father had also served. He signed up for 9 years in the colours and 3 in the reserves. He stated that he was born on 26 February 1921 in Everton, Liverpool. He was described as being 4ft 7 ¼ in tall and weighed 89lbs. He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was declared fit for service. He was shown as a Scholar. His religion was given as Church of England, and he was given an educational classification of C. His father, Phillip Edward Christian, of 23 Mere Lane, Everton, Liverpool was given as his next of kin. He was initially have been assigned to the 2nd Battalion which was based in the UK.

He continued his education in the Army, achieving class 3 on 12 May 1936 and Class 2 on 13 April 1937. He passed a qualification in Geography on 13 October 1937 and in Mathematics and Map Reading on 23 March 1938.

During this time, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the King’s Regiment and sent to India on 24 September 1936 while still only 15. This Battalion had been sent to India sometime after October 1931. They were initially in Jubbulpore then relocated to Landi Kotal, Khyber Pass, in 1937. This was on the volatile North West Frontier. Pop was in the Indian Service until 31 March 1939 before being switched to British Service, still in India, on 1 April 1939. His service for some purposes was only considered to have started when he turned 18 on 26 February 1939. He was appointed as a Bandsman from 7 October 1942 at Ferozepore in the Punjab, still on the North-West Frontier.

He remained in India until his return to the UK on 7 November 1943. He seems to have begun the process of repatriation on 12 July 1943 at Bombay (Mumbai) and embarked from there on 22 August 1943. He seems to have returned via South Africa as he disembarked on 6 September 1943 for Clairwood Infantry Training Centre. On his return to the UK he was posted to the 19th Infantry Training Centre at Formby in Lancashire. He had the rank of Private.

He seems to have had a few problems after he returned. He was absent from 23 to 27 December 1943 and so was confined to barracks at Formby for 7 days on 31 December 1943 and forfeited 4 days’ pay. Perhaps he wished to be with his family at Christmas after being so long in India. On 21 January 1944 he was confined to barracks for a further 8 days for falling out of the line of muster and being absent from 1030 to 2330 on 18 January 1944.

He was posted to 9 Battalion of the King’s Regiment on 16 February, 1944. This was serving with 165 Brigade at the time and was based in Northern Ireland. He was sent to Banbridge Detention Centre for 7 days on 24 February 1944 for misconduct. He had lost a bayonet worth 8/6 and bayonet scabbard worth 4/6. He had been expected to pay for these losses, but it seems that they were eventually found. He was released on 2 March 1944 and returned to Regimental Duty the following day.

On 15 May 1944 he was admitted to the military hospital in Belfast as he had sustained a knee injury. This this was not considered to be severe. He was in hospital for 21 days and was posted to a Y list on 4 June 1944 which was where soldiers awaiting return to a unit after illness or injury were placed.

He was declared A1 fit in July 1944.

9 Battalion ceased to be part of 165 Brigade on 12 July which returned to the UK at that time. Probably as a result, on 19 July 1944 Pop was transferred to the 1 / 4 Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment.

He was put on an X(iv) list on 11 August 1944 indicating that he was awaiting assignment to a unit. He embarked for North West Europe on 17 August 1944 and posted to the 1st Battalion of the South Lancashires on 22 August 1944.

Following the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940, the 1st Battalion of the South Lancashires had been transferred to the 8th Infantry Brigade (which included the 1st Suffolk Regiment and 2nd East Yorkshire Regiment) attached to the 3rd Infantry Division, nicknamed Monty’s Ironsides.

For full details of this Battalion’s lead up to D-Day and its activities in 1944 up to the time Pop died, please see the story of Lance Corporal George Glover who is also buried at Overloon and died on the same day as Pop. A summary of their movements is given below.

The Battalion had landed at Sword Beach on D-Day and fought its way through Normandy, taking part in the battles for Caen and the Falaise Pocket. The action at the Falaise Pocket had concluded on 21 August, the day before Pop joined the 1 South Lancashires. This was the end of the Battle for Normandy. From then until mid-September there was a relative period of calm when the Battalion could undertake training and some relaxation.

From mid September they moved through first Belgium and then the Netherlands, reaching Mook just south of Nijmegen by 3 October. This was part of the push associated with Operation Market Garden which ultimately  failed to take the bridge at Arnhem. This left the Allies in a narrow corridor through the Netherlands. An attempt had been made by the American 7th Armoured Division on 30 September to widen this east to the River Maas by attacking Overloon from their position at St Anthonis, but this attack failed.

The Battalion remained at Mook until 8 October when they moved south to Wanroij. It had been decided that the Americans were to withdraw and leave widening the corridor through Overloon, Venray and Venlo to the British. Initially, it was intended that the attack on Overloon would begin on 11 October. However, this was postponed until 12 October due to the very wet weather and ground conditions.

On 12 October the attack started at noon with a very heavy artillery barrage. The 2 East Yorks. led the attack on what was described as Dog Wood to the west of Overloon while the 1 Suffolks targeted Overloon itself. Both achieved their objectives by 1500 hours, but with some mopping up still to do. The 1 South Lancs. were initially held in reserve but at 1700 hours A and D Companies were ordered to advance to clear a remaining area with one troop of the 3 Grenadier Guards in support of each forward Company. They met very little opposition and by dusk were in position on the forward edge of a clearing to the west of Overloon. They moved a little further south the following day, but were then instructed on 14 October to move to a road between Rouw and Halfweg north east of Overloon to secure control of a junction leading from that road to Schaartven. Meanwhile, the 1 Suffolks and 2 East Yorks. struggled to cross a ditch called the Molenbeek and attack Brabander and Venray. The 1 South Lancs. moved behind the 2 East Yorks. on the north western edge of Venray on 17 October where they were ordered to seize the southern area of Venray.

Around this time, the push southwards was being reconsidered and the focus switched to patrolling to the east of Venray, which they did until they were relieved on 26 October. They then returned to Overloon where they had time for relaxation and training until 4 November.

They then took over from the Royal Ulster Rifles patrolling an area near the Rioolerings Reservoirs north east of Venray. They spent the rest of November here, guarding the line of the Nijmegen to Venlo railway line, often encountering enemy patrols.

On 30 November they moved to Gemert for another period of relaxation and training. They could enjoy the cinema or playing football and some were even allowed trips to Brussels.

On 12 December they took over from the 2 Warwickshires in an area between Vortrum and Vierlingsbeek which is well to the north east of Overloon. The move went smoothly, but at 1503 on 13 December, two men were killed by rounds from some 105mm guns near Groeningen. One of these was Private Philip John Christian while the other was Lance Corporal George Glover. They were initially buried alongside each other at a temporary cemetery in a meadow next to the Huijsmans family farm on Rieterdreef in Overloon and are now buried alongside each other at Overloon.

Pop had served for a total of 8 years and 257 days since he first enlisted as a Boy Soldier. He was awarded the 1939-43 Star, France and Germany Star and the War Medal 1939/45. Any personal effects were to be sent to his father at 23 Mere Lane, Everton, Liverpool 5, though there is a suggestion that he had changed his next of kin to his mother at the same address at some point.

An item appeared in the Liverpool Echo of 30 December 1944 as follows:
“On Active Service. Christian – Dec. – killed in action, Philip (Pop). (War’s bitter cost.) – Will always be remembered by Mr and Mrs Hurst. 30 Joshua Street, Liverpool 5.”

The Liverpool Echo of 12 January 1945 reported his death as follows:
“Mrs Christian, 23 Mere Lane, Everton, Liverpool 5, has been informed that her son, Private Phillip John Christian, has been killed in action in Western Europe. He joined the Army when he was 15, and served for 7 years in India with the 1st King’s Liverpool Regiment. He was an old boy of Loraine Street Council School Everton.”

At the time of his 24th birthday, he was commemorated as follows in the Liverpool Evening Express of 26 February 1945:
“Christian – Treasured 24th birthday memories of our dear son, Philip (Pop), killed in action, Western Europe, Dec 1944
I never thought when I woke this morn,
The sorrow that day would bring;
The blow was sudden, the shock severe,
To part with the son we all loved dear.
Loving mother, dad, Ronnie, Doreen, 23 Mere Lane”

Aftermath

Martha A J Christian died in 1949 and Philip Edward Christan in 1952, both in Liverpool

Pop’s brother, Ronald, married Irene M Winter, in Ormskirk in 1959. She was a widow who had a child with her first husband in 1954 but her husband died the same year. Ronald died in 1999 in Sefton and Irene in 2014 in Liverpool.

Pop’s sister, Doreen, married John Dixon in Liverpool in 1953. They had a child in 1963 in Ormskirk.  Doreen died in 2005 in Liverpool.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records
PJ Christian’s Service Record from National Archives ref WO 423/1114189
Wikipedia King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, 165 Brigade
1 South Lancashire Regiment War Diaries from Normandy War Guide and Traces of War Websites
Wikipedia for information on the 1 South Lancashire Regiment
National Army Museum for information on the 1 South Lancashire Regiment
Liverpool Echo of 30 December 1944
Liverpool Echo 12 Jan 1945
Liverpool Evening Express 26 February 1945

Research Bryan Johncock, Elaine Gathercole