Philips was born at 12, Queen Street, Hill Top, West Bromwich, (then Staffordshire) England.

On 25 January 1917 near Kut, Mesopotamia, Lieutenant Phillips went to the assistance of his commanding officer (Edward Elers Delaval Henderson) who was lying in the open, having been mortally wounded while leading a counter-attack.

The lieutenant went out with a comrade and, under the most intense fire, they succeeded in bringing their commanding officer back to British lines.

On 26 January 2008, a blue plaque was erected on Holyhead House,[5] Phillips' childhood home, at 54b, Hill Top, West Bromwich.

Derek Pinches, Phillips' great nephew, noticed the error and local historians campaigned to have the name changed.