Chezzie
Well-Known Member
A tribute to:
2nd Lt Philip Edgerton Wedgwood,
14th Battalion,
Royal Irish Rifles
Died 1st July 1916 aged 19yrs
Young Philip Wedgwood didn’t win a VC, MM or any other medal to put in his grave stone. He was an intelligent lad having study at Belfast University and was the youngest son of a Minister. At the outbreak of WWI Philip signed up for a commission in the Royal Irish Rifles and his brother gained a commission in the Machine Gun Corps. Following training Philip headed off for France with his Regiment and eventually found himself in the Somme Sector. During the build up to the battle the RIR made their way to Thiepval and the lower area behind the wood know by the troops as Speyside. Here they had their final meals, ‘bombed up’ and prepared for the battle. As the bombardment commenced the RIR along with the other regiments made their way to their start lines in the front line trenches and saps along the front. The RIRs trench was, and can still be seen along the front of Thiepval Wood and facing the German positions and their objective Schwaben Redoubt. As the bombardment stopped Philip blew his brass whistle and the troops went over the top keeping low and fast towards the lines. Luckily the RIR were in a slight ‘dead ground’ from the gun positions located in Thiepval village which were occupied with the advance of the Inniskillings on the RIR right flank. Progress was good and the Regiment took their objective. At 0930hrs Philip came across a German bombing patrol. It is said that as Philip took one prisoner the German took out his bayonet and fatally stabbed Philip. News was sent back by telegram to his parents at the same time as they received news of the death of his brother. A tragic day for the Wedgwood family. Philips whistle and the bayonet can be found in the Regimental museum in Northern Ireland. The reason why I have an affiliation with the 14th RIR is because my Great Grandfather was there and made it to Schwaben Redoubt.
The figure I have used to portray young Philip is a converted Model Cellar “Over the top”. From SK Miniatures
Conversion work:
Change snake belt to buckle with white metal and brass wire
Cuff titles removed from arms and put on epaulets
Hands filed down and seams added to make brown gloves
New head and more youthful face from Jon Smith Modellbau
New watch face from resin
Chin strap added to head
Paints used
AK WWI British Uniform
Lifecolor Acrylics
AK various shades for face
The figure is being donated the the Royal Irish Rifles Museum and will sit alongside Philips Whistle. Their are various books available but I can highly recommend “the man who shot the Great War” by Mark Scott and available from the museum
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
2nd Lt Philip Edgerton Wedgwood,
14th Battalion,
Royal Irish Rifles
Died 1st July 1916 aged 19yrs
Young Philip Wedgwood didn’t win a VC, MM or any other medal to put in his grave stone. He was an intelligent lad having study at Belfast University and was the youngest son of a Minister. At the outbreak of WWI Philip signed up for a commission in the Royal Irish Rifles and his brother gained a commission in the Machine Gun Corps. Following training Philip headed off for France with his Regiment and eventually found himself in the Somme Sector. During the build up to the battle the RIR made their way to Thiepval and the lower area behind the wood know by the troops as Speyside. Here they had their final meals, ‘bombed up’ and prepared for the battle. As the bombardment commenced the RIR along with the other regiments made their way to their start lines in the front line trenches and saps along the front. The RIRs trench was, and can still be seen along the front of Thiepval Wood and facing the German positions and their objective Schwaben Redoubt. As the bombardment stopped Philip blew his brass whistle and the troops went over the top keeping low and fast towards the lines. Luckily the RIR were in a slight ‘dead ground’ from the gun positions located in Thiepval village which were occupied with the advance of the Inniskillings on the RIR right flank. Progress was good and the Regiment took their objective. At 0930hrs Philip came across a German bombing patrol. It is said that as Philip took one prisoner the German took out his bayonet and fatally stabbed Philip. News was sent back by telegram to his parents at the same time as they received news of the death of his brother. A tragic day for the Wedgwood family. Philips whistle and the bayonet can be found in the Regimental museum in Northern Ireland. The reason why I have an affiliation with the 14th RIR is because my Great Grandfather was there and made it to Schwaben Redoubt.
The figure I have used to portray young Philip is a converted Model Cellar “Over the top”. From SK Miniatures
Conversion work:
Change snake belt to buckle with white metal and brass wire
Cuff titles removed from arms and put on epaulets
Hands filed down and seams added to make brown gloves
New head and more youthful face from Jon Smith Modellbau
New watch face from resin
Chin strap added to head
Paints used
AK WWI British Uniform
Lifecolor Acrylics
AK various shades for face
The figure is being donated the the Royal Irish Rifles Museum and will sit alongside Philips Whistle. Their are various books available but I can highly recommend “the man who shot the Great War” by Mark Scott and available from the museum
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
