The Airmen's Stories - F/Sgt. N T Phillips

Norman Taylor Phillips was born in Gillingham, Kent on 15th March 1909, the son of Herbert Edward Phillips and Harriett Phillips (nee Hooper).

He was educated at Napier Road Council School there. He joined the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice in September 1924 and passed out in August 1927 as a Carpenter.

Phillips later applied for pilot training, was selected and passed out as a Sergeant-Pilot in 1931.

Above: he married Winifred Youen Austen in July 1932 in Medway.

Phillips was serving with 65 Squadron at Hornchurch on 3rd September 1939.

Over Dunkirk on 27th May 1940 Phillips destroyed a Do17. On 9th July he destroyed a Me109 and on the 24th he damaged two Do17s.

He was shot down and killed during an action with Me109s over Manston on 8th August 1940, probably by Oblt. Muncheberg of III/JG26. His Spitfire, K9905, crashed and burned out.

Phillips is buried in Chatham Cemetery, Kent.