Arthur Franklyn Phillips was born on August 6, 1886, in Swansea to parents Francis and Elizabeth. In 1891, at the age of four, he lived with his parents and younger sister at 20 Plough Road, Swansea. His father was working as a copper smelter.

By 1901, the family had moved to Pentilia Road, Swansea. At 14 years old, Arthur had started work as an office boy and lived with his parents and two younger siblings.

A decade later, in 1911, he had joined the Swansea Police as a police constable and was living at 25 Iorwerth Street, Manselton, Swansea, boarding with a police sergeant.

Six months later, on September 6, 1911, Arthur married Isobella Margaret Fisher at St. Peter's Church in Swansea. His wedding certificate listed him as a police constable still living at 25 Iorwerth Street, Manselton.

In mid-1915, Arthur received permission to temporarily leave the police to join the Army along with 3 of his colleagues. A roll of honour published in 1917 confirmed that his Police Collar Number was 115. He served with the Royal Field Artillery until 1919.

After the War, Arthur returned to the police. In 1921, Arthur, now almost 35 years old, was still working as a police constable, performing beat duties for the Corporation of Swansea. He was living at 18 Bryn Street where he had set up his home with Isobella and their children: Walter (born 1913), Trevor (born 1915), Arthur (born 1918), and Mimosa (born 1920). His grandson added: The eldest daughter was born in 1920 and christened Mimosa, a name inspired by the beautiful shrub which Bampi [his grandfather] had admired during his time in Mesopotamia.

That same year, the Swansea Watch Committee promoted Arthur to the rank of sergeant to fill vacancies caused by death and retirement.

A number of articles were published in the South Wales Evening Post in the 1990’s regarding Swansea’s mounted policemen. These included a picture of Sgt Phillips on horseback and memories of his police service from his son:

The photographs show my father Sergeant Arthur Franklyn Peregrine Phillips [on the left]… The pictures were taken about 1930. prior to the Armistice Parade through the town of Swansea, before proceeding to St Mary’s and then to the Cenotaph at Mumbles Road. Poppies were worn on the shoulder sash, as well as World War 1 medals.

My father was in charge of the mounted section and prior to parades, town carnivals, rugby and football matches, one of the tasks of my brothers and I was to polish the leather gaiters and boots to such a high degree, you could see your face reflected in the black leather.

The horses were so tall a person on the pavement would only be as high as the gaiters and you would have to look up to see the rider…

Besides being in charge of the Mounted Section my father was in charge of St Thomas Police Station at 40 Balaclava Street, St Thomas where he lived. There were often probationary policemen living with us at the station….

In the station yard there were a number of stretchers and also a mobile water tank, complete with a pump on wooden wheels for use in the event of a fire. In those days police also served as firemen.

South Wales Evening Post, 24/2/1993

It is probable that the experience Arthur gained with horses during the War led to his involvement with the Mounted Police.

Tragedy struck the family in April 1932 when Arthur's son Trevor was killed in a motorbike accident. Despite this loss, Arthur's career continued to progress. In May 1932, after 25 years of service, the Swansea Watch Committee promoted him to the rank of Inspector.

In 1936, after nearly 29 years of service, Arthur finally retired from the police.

POLICE INSPECTOR RETIRING. At Swansea Watch Committee, Councillor George Edwards presiding, the Chief Constable, Mr FJ May, reported and recommended the acceptance of the resignation of Inspector Arthur Frank Phillips, who will complete 29 years "approved service" on June 26.

South Wales Evening Post, 24/6/1936 (Newspapers.com)

Several years later, the 1939 Register listed him as a retired Police Inspector living at Eastfield, Roseland Terrace, Swansea, with Isobella, and their children Arthur (born 1918), Mimosa (born 1920), and Hubert (born 1924).

Arthur Franklyn Phillips passed away in the third quarter of 1966 at the age of 80 in Swansea.

Arthur Franklyn Phillips enlisted in the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade between July 24 and August 11, 1915, receiving the service number 1484. Unfortunately, his service record was destroyed in the London Blitz, but bits of information remain that allow his military service to be reconstructed.

After enlisting, Arthur was quickly posted to the 3rd Line for training, where he spent time in Luton and Winchester. Surviving photographs from this period show him promoted to the rank of Corporal, seated on a horse, and later among his comrades.

On August 21, 1916, after completing his training and being transferred to a number of different units, Cpl Phillips was posted to D (Howitzer) Battery of the 336 Brigade, part of the 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division.

His grandson confirmed that Arthur sailed to Mesopotamia on October 13, 1917. This date coincides with the departure of the Brigade from Southampton, arriving in Le Havre the following day. From Le Havre, they took trains to Marseilles and then embarked on the SS Minnetonka and SS Maryland, sailing to Basra on October 21 and 23, respectively. The Brigade arrived near Basra in mid-November and was unloaded into smaller vessels for the final journey to Magil.

Shortly after their arrival in Mesopotamia, the Brigade transferred to the 18th Indian Division, which was formed on December 24, 1917. They served with the Division for the remainder of the war. As many of the units in the Division had transferred directly from India, a period of acclimatization was required. Eventually, the Brigade saw action at the Battle of Fat-ha Gorge (October 23-26, 1918) and the Battle of Sharqat (October 26-30, 1918).

At the end of the war, the 18th Indian Division was chosen to form part of the occupation force for Iraq, which likely explains why Acting Sergeant Phillips finally returned to Swansea in July 1919.

For his service in the Great War, Acting Sergeant Arthur Franklin Phillips was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.