Nursing Sister Philips WW1 Photo Album P4R Cripps Postcard & Obit

Page 4R: postcard from Harry Cripps. Under it is tucked his obituary

This Photo Archive consists of a small autograph album (6.5" by 5.25") kept by Constance (Connie) Philips as a memento of her time serving as a nurse during World War One.  

The majority of the photos and items are from 1915, when she served as a nurse in France and Britain. 

The album and all photographs, postcards, and other ephemera contained in the album belong to Karin Armstrong and may not be copied or republished without her written permission. The images will be published on Olive Tree Genealogy with permission. 

Each image has been designated an "R" for Recto or a "V" for Verso plus an album page number. Recto is the right-hand side page of a bound book while Verso is the left-hand side page.  

The postcard found on this page from Sapper C.H.T. Cripps, Reg. #2121, 1st Canadian Div. [BEF?] France is dated 30 September 1915 and addressed to Nurse Philips, #2 Stationary Hospital (crossed out), #2 Can. General, Canadian Exp. Force, Le Treport Hosp. France. It reads:

Have got this far at last. Don't suppose I shall see you, unless I get bowled over and ask for #2 Stat. Hosp. Am leaving for the line tonight. Kindest regards, 
Harry Cripps

His obituary is from a newspaper clipping. It is brief and reads:

Died of Wounds.
Sapper Harry Cripps, who, after spending a year in the trenches, is reported to have died of wounds Sept.11. Prior to enlistment he was in the employ of the C.N.R. and for several years was a resident of Snowflake, Man., where many friends will regret to learn of his death.

Harry's Attestation Papers provide his full name - Charles Henry Townsend Cripps. He was born January 26, 1886 in Wanstead, Essex England. Harry gave his next-of-kin as Bessie Cripps living in England. His enlistment date was April 1915 in Winnipeg Manitoba.

Young Harry was killed in France 13 September 1916 just one year after sending his postcard to Nursing Sister Connie Philips. He was buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery near Doulens France. The War Graves Registers give the details of what happened to Harry on the day he died. He was with the 1st. C. D. E., 3rd Field Company of Canadian Engineers when he died.

Canada, War Graves Register for Sapper Harry Cripps

I will be posting the entire album and my additional research on the individuals identified in Connie's album over the coming months so please check back frequently to view these historic photos. The easiest way to see what has been published is to click on the topic "Nursing Sister WW1 Photos" in the vertical menu bar on the right side of your screen. You can also click on that phrase at the bottom of this post.