James Phillips (23 Jun 1942 - 27 Nov 2019)

In loving memory of James Phillips who sadly passed away on 27th November 2019

James was born the youngest of 7 brothers and sisters, during the war in June 1942 so times were tough. His sister Jean remembers having to take him for a walk in his pram, when he was a baby to get him to go to sleep before she was allowed to take him back home to his mums where she could leave him in the sunshine, in the garden, in his pram. It happened quite often that Jean and Dorothy were tasked with this, which they found a bit of a chore at their ages! He was very close to his brother Melvin, who has unfortunately already passed away. Mel was the second youngest in the house so closer to James age.

At school he loved sports and according to Jean, he was a very good javelin thrower, so much so, that he became a champion at it and he used to represent the school in this event, in which he was not beaten, as far as they can remember, and he retained his champion status. As the school was so close to where we lived, Grove Close, he used to pop in at lunchtime to see his sister Jean.

When he left school he went into the Army, but once there, he decided this wasn't the life for him and he bought himself out. Jean says he absolutely hated it but thought initially it would be a good career for him. Jean remembers he then came to live with them at Grove Close in Newport for a while when he was waiting for his own house, which eventually was in Royal Exchange, a small terraced house. It was also close to the school where Jeans children both attended as infants.

He went to Sea after he left Royal Exchange in Newport, working on the Queen Mary, amongst other liners. He was asked to go and work in the US by an American couple whom he met, but he declined. James was also present on the Queen Mary when she left the UK for her final destination as a Hotel, much later when she was de-commissioned. James sent Jean a Christmas card from the Queen Mary which she still has, before he was flown home to the UK. When he left Sea, James worked as a Waiter at the Gloucester Hotel in Cowes where he met his beloved wife Doreen in 1964 where she worked in the Cocktail bar. He introduced Doreen to the family and it was really obvious they were smitten with each other moving his Nieces and Nephews up on the so he could be near her!! His Nephew Philip, was close to James and they got on very well. Frances his niece remembers they went out rabbiting on one occasion with James and his nephew Philip who had just acquired a ferret, named Rodney (!), in the New Forest. They had moved from the Island to Hythe, near Southampton by then, and Rodney flushed out a rabbit which James caught and we had rabbit stew for dinner!

As far as Frances can remember, James always loved dancing and he especially liked listening to Cliff Richard, this always seemed to be playing when he lived with them in Newport, Livin Doll, was a favorite she thinks. Frances also remember he wore winkle pickers! He also had a bit of a quiff in his hair, before he lost it that is!!

James and Doreen married in 1966 where they set up home in Seaview on the Isle of Wight. They moved to New Street where they had their first child Beverley in October 1968 followed closely by Jacqueline in October 1969. There wasn’t much Industry on the Island and as dad wanted a better life for us all, he decided to move us to Stevenage in Hertfordshire in the early 70’s where he started work at British Aerospace (and as we know James has moved Doreen several times over the years!).

As a family they enjoyed caravan holidays in the UK and would have seaweed fights on the beach. Jacqueline also remembers the warm cheese and tomato sandwiches they used to eat on hot sunny beach days! James would always get involved In school events and Jacqueline remembers when he ran the 50m dad race at their School Broom Barns during the Queens Silver Jubilee celebrations, he took a tumble and rolled over a few times before jumping up and finishing the race….great memories.

When his daughters were grown up, James and Doreen enjoyed holidays on their own, the Yorkshire Dales being a firm favorite and also the Evesham in Worcester.

James had various Engineering jobs over the years before retiring at the age of 59, this was when they moved away to Lincolnshire so that they could be mortgage free. They moved several times before setting up home in Whittlesey where they shared their time together.

James was a devoted husband caring for Doreen throughout her own illness. He was a caring and thoughtful father to his two daughters and a doting grandad to his two Grandaughter’s Sophie and Cerys. He was always interested in what the girls were up to and he even tried to get Sophie to join the Wrens! He was also very good at maths and he always helped them with their homework when they visited Beverley at her home. He always encouraged Cerys to excel in whatever she did. When Sophie started her new career as a Dental Nurse, he always showed interest and would love to ask her questions about the industry.

James had a lot of time for his two Son-In-Laws, he enjoyed talking to them about ‘man’ stuff. His daughter Jacqueline has said he accumulated a lot of tools from Barry over the years so that he could do DIY around the house. He would always help Mick with his gardening questions and grew tomato plants for him every year from the Greenhouse. His garden was his pride and joy. He grew beautiful plants and flowers every year and there was always an abundance of colour which made it look so lovely.

James passing was sudden and a shock to everyone who knew him. He will leave a huge hole in all of our hearts and we will miss him terribly. Sleep well, we all love you very much.