Philson, A J (Alan John)

Philson, A J (Alan John)
Gunner Alan Philson was the son of Thomas and Margaret Philson, of Waterside, Londonderry; husband of Bridget Philson, of Waterside.
Samuel’s regiment during the war was 24 Battery, 9th (Londonderry), Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Royal Artillery. Nicknamed “The Derry Boy’s”. They were reservists and had been called up for active service in the later months of 1939, finally leaving for Egypt during November of the same year. On arrival they were deployed in Alexandria for training, which would continue right through until June 1940 when they took part in the defence of the city and its harbour against Italian bombers.
The battery would remain in the Middle East and North Africa, spending time defending Alexandria,[1] Port Sudan,[2] Palestine, Mersa Matruh,[3] Sidi Barrani[4] and Tripoli[5] from the German and Italian air forces until it took part in the invasion of Italy in 1943. Here they remained until May 1944 when they left for the UK. Their foreign war was finally over, and they would only remain in defence of England until July and then onto Northern Ireland.
Gunner Alan Philson died from complications from a stomach ulcer in the presence of his wife Bridget at 19 Mountain View. He was no longer a soldier at the time and was working as a labourer. He is buried with his two sons and his wife in the old Ardmore Cemetery.
Alan’s age is listed officially as 42, but it seems he may have been only 39 at the time of his passing.
Date of Death: 22/06/1947 (Aged 42)
Service: Gunner, Royal Artillery 25 Battery, 9 H.A.A. Regiment
Service Number: 7042984
Burial Location: Ardmore Roman Catholic old Cemetery, Grave 21.
[1] Alexandria is the second-largest city in Egypt.
[2] Port Sudan is a port city in eastern Sudan.
[3] Mersa Matruh is a port city in Egypt, about 180 miles west of Alexandria.
[4] Sidi Barrani is a port city in Egypt, about 80 miles west of Mersa Matruh.
[5] Tripoli is a port city in today’s Libya, around 980 miles west of Mersa Matruh.