Timothy Phillips
Full name John Timothy (Timmy) Phillips, one time FR porter, Priest and guardian of Boston Lodge Works. Born 1882 in Minffordd.
Roy Cunningham writing in FR Heritage Group Journal No.84 of John Timothy Phillips, described him as the first railway preservation volunteer in recognition of his heroic and mainly successful efforts to keep Boston Lodge Works off-limits to intruders during the closure years [1946 - 1954].
In March 2006, Roy Cunningham added this brief biographical sketch: "Timmy Phillips was one of those people who seemed to be able to turn his hand to anything, as circumstances dictated. I am not sure of all the details, but I believe that almost immediately after his ordination in the Church of England he joined the army as a Chaplain and found himself in the Dardanelles, in the thick of the Gallipoli campaign, where the Allies suffered tremendous losses under horrific conditions. In 1920 he left the army and became Vicar of Christ Church, Milton, Gravesend, where he remained until 1936. He then became Rector of Addington, Kent, until his retirement in 1949, whereupon he moved into No.4 Boston Lodge Cottages. In retirement he became unofficial caretaker of the works, using his smithying and handyman skills to maintain the integrity of the works boundary and thwarting many attempts to remove artefacts from the site. His revolving garage, which sadly did not function as he had hoped, still exists on the turntable just below what was his home. He was the son of a Boston Lodge fitter, which may explain how he acquired some of his skills."
He died in early 1962[1]
Rob Smallman in FR E-group posting 34571 wrote:
My very first visit to Boston Lodge in 1953, I was trying to find a way in when I had a firm hand on my shoulder, and a voice which brook no agreement. When explaining my interest, Timmy produced a large key, and I was whisked into "Sleeping Beauty's Palace".
John Winton in his book The Little Wonder quotes Timmy Phillips on a number of FR historical matters including;
His father, William, was a Boston Lodge fitter, and Timmy, himself, was a railway porter, presumably for the FR but that is not stated. It is interesting that he is addressed as Reverend whilst also being a porter - a lay preacher perhaps?
Contents |
[edit] Census Entry for 1901
| An entry has been found for this person at Tyddyn Llwyn Terrace, Minffordd |
| where the year of birth is recorded as: 1882 |
| The occupation given is: railway porter |
[edit] Information in Crockford´s Clerical Dictionary from 1940
( An annual publication from the Church of England listing all parishes and clergy)
J.T. Phillips took a B.A. at Lampeter in 1909 and was ordained in 1911. He was a curate at Llanfaes w Penmon 1910-1911, followed by Conway 1911-1913, and by Llanbeblig w Carnarvon 1913-1915. T.C.F (= Temporary Chaplain to the Forces) 1915-1920. Vicar of Ch.Ch. Milton-next-Gravesend, 1920-1936. Rector of Addington in the diocese of Rochester from 1936.
[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Ffestiniog Railway Magazine - Society House Magazine Issue No: 016 , Obituary
- ^ Crockford´s Clerical Directory for 1940, OUP, 1940
