Born 20/01/1924, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Phipps of 126 Inshes Avenue, Chatham, ON.    Charles had a brother William who was serving in the Canadian Navy and they happened to meet in England. Prior to enlistment he worked with the C.P.R. The husband of Jean Mary (nee Ross. The father of Charles Jr., Gordon and Kelly.    

Charles enlisted in November 11, 1942 at age 18 years at the C.N.E. Grounds Toronto.  He was with the Lorne Scots Regiment, transferred to the Essex Scottish Regiment. Basic training was in Canada at Camp Borden and Brantford U.K. and was overseas for two years in Scotland and England, Normandy, Juno Beach, France, Courselles Sur Mer, Caen, Falaise, Fonet de la Londe 9 (Elbeuf) .

The CDN 2/09/43(P) was reported overseas with an infantry unit. Charles received his training at Camp Borden and Brantford.  

On the 6 June, 1944 D-Day he landed in Normandy with the Lorne Scots, he said in an interview in the CDN 26/01/45 that  he “had his hands full” on D-Day and that he had a few “close calls” like everyone else. He reluctantly admitted to having “knocked off a few Jerries” and that he had been in some “tight spots” on a few occasions “Everyone has their fair share of hard fighting and close calls” he said to the reporter.

He would later transfer to the Essex Scottish Regt. He was with Essex Scottish when he was wounded in the leg during an attack on a town on the Seine River near Rouen, on 1 September, 1944 the Germans had strongly fortified a wooded area on the outskirts, he said he never did learn the name of that town.

“A light machine gun opened up on our unit and along with several other boys from Chatham I was wounded.” A bullet smashed a bone in his leg but he was recuperating well.  His parents received notification that their son had been wounded but gave no details. CDN 6/09/44(P)   He was evacuated to England and remained in hospital until January 1945, repatriated to Canada aboard the “Lady Nelson”. Though still on crutches when he returned to Chatham Charles expected to have a walking cast on the leg soon. Charles would spend the remainder of his time in the army in hospital in London, ON. undergoing more surgeries until he was discharged from the army in September 14, 1945 at Wolsley Barracks in London, ON.

Served overseas and was badly wounded in left leg by machine gun fire. Invalided home to Canada.

Date of Discharge: September 14, 1944

Charles passed away 12/02/2011.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

CFF-FD44, IODE(P), CBC-RH, CC-RH, NB, CDN-Obit 15/02/11 G. Phipps, CDN 26/01/45, Obit-wife (Jean Mary)

Age	born 1923
Birthplace	Chatham
Religion	Protestant
When Enlisted	September 1942
Next of Kin	Mr Nathan Phipps (Father)

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