PHILIP RUSSELL PELLS
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image courtesy of the Capel St Mary War Memorial Trust
Born: 1924, at 43, Bolton Lane, Ipswich.
Died: 18th July 1944; age: 20; at Normandy.
Residence: Hill House, Capel St. Mary, Suffolk.
Rank: Second Lieutenant; Service Number: 308253.
Regiment: Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Tank Regiment, 3rd Battalion.
Final resting place unknown.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 8 Column 2.
Calvados,
Normandy,
France.
Father: Arthur George Pells, born 1887, Eaton, Norfolk. A Brewer’s Manager.
Mother: Florence Pells (nee Martin), born 1888, Guist, Norfolk – died January 1930, at 43, Bolton Road, Ipswich.
Philip was educated at Ipswich School.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Philip lived with his father and his father’s new wife at the family home – 43, Bolton Lane, Ipswich.
Arthur, a Brewery Manager.
Celia Mary Pells (nee Andrews), unpaid Domestic Duties, born February 1894, Felixstowe, Suffolk.
1 general domestic servant.
Probate to Arthur George Pells – father, a brewer’s manager.
Philip is also remembered on the Ipswich School Chapel war memorial and Capel St. Mary’s Memorial.
A PERSONAL MEMORY – Pat, April 2017
I first met Philip when we were both six years old at Ipswich High School, which was then located on Westerfield Road, and we formed a close childhood friendship. I was the only girl at his Party in Bolton Lane, together with ten boys. I remember him quite seriously asking me to marry him. He reminded me of that when he sought me out as a young adult. He went to Ipswich School, and I continued at the High School, and our meetings were intermittent. We started seeing each other again more seriously in the sixth form, but circumstances prevented us from meeting too often.
I went off to College, and he went to Sandhurst, and very soon he was off to France.
Philip was a lovely boy, kind, thoughtful and very dedicated to helping win the war and to do his duty for his country.
He wrote to me from France and said he was doing what he wanted to do and was enjoying it. He said, “Please don’t worry about me, because if I get killed, you will know that I died doing what I wanted to do and felt was right.”
A few weeks later, I heard that he had been killed. He was only twenty.
I thought this was a terrible waste of a life and ever since have been a peace lover and am a Life Member of the United Nations Association which supports the United Nations which is our only, if not very successful, instrument to try and secure peace in the world and prevent the terrible waste of life which war causes.
Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Tank Regiment, 3rd Battalion
Between the 18th and 21st July 1944, 3rd RTR took part in Operation Goodwood, the Allied forces attempted a thrust out of Caen. Despite initial successes in clearing the German forces out of the surrounding villages, Goodwood finally ground to a halt after suffering large casualties.
It is believed Philip was outside his tank during an American artillery bombardment of a close position, he was found slumped next to his tank, having been struck by shrapnel.
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