Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters

He was the fourth son of J.P and M.A Chaworth-Musters of Annesley Park Nottinghamshire. They had four daughters and seven sons: Patricius ('Pat') George (1888-1915), John ('Jack') Neville (1890-1970), Anthony ('Tony') (1892-1987), Philip ('Phil') Mundy (1895-1917), Robert ('Bob' (1896-1918), Douglas (1898-1957), James Lawrence ('Jim') (1901-1948). All but James, who was too young, served in the Great War. Two of Philip's brothers also died in the war: Lieutenant Patricius George Chaworth-Musters King's Royal Rifle Corps, died of wounds 11 January 1915 aged 26 (Bethune Town Cemetery), and Captain Robert Chaworth-Musters MC, King's Royal Rifle Corps, died in hospital 10 October 1918, age 22 (Annesley and Felley Cemetery). A cousin, Lieutenant Roger Michael Chaworth-Musters, Royal Flying Corps, was killed 7 May 1917.

Educated at Rugby School. Attended Woolwich Academy

A memorial in All Saints Church, Annesley Woodhouse, records that he served continuously for 33 months in France and Belgium. He was killed instantly by a shell on 18 July 1917 and was buried in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery (grave ref II.G.23) www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/collectionsindepth/family/chaworth-mustersofannesley/biographies/firstworldwarservice: 'Phil was educated at Rugby School. He joined the British Forces soon after war was declared, and was commissioned to 28 Brigade Royal Field Artillery in October 1914. Phil was posted to France in November 1914 and served continuously in France and Belgium for the next 33 months. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1916 and promoted to Captain. He was hit by a British shell near Hooge, Flanders, on 17 July 1917 and died instantly, aged 22. He was buried at Poperinghe, Belgium. See the online catalogue for descriptions of the letters home from Phil Chaworth-Musters (ChM/C/15/1-159).'

Nottingham Evening Post, 23 July 1917. Roll of Honour. Killed. Captain PM Chaworth-Musters. Mr JP Chaworth-Musters, of Annesley Park, Nottingham, has received official news of the death of his son, Temporary Captiain Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters, MC RFA, which occurred in France on July 18th, The deceased officer, who had been on active service for about thirty-two months, was one of the five brothers who volunteered to serve their King and country, and for some time had been trench mortar officer to a division. He was awarded the Military Cross early last year for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In face of a very heavy shell fire he bound up a corporal who was badly wounded, took him into safety, and then returned and personally worked a gun under circumstances of great difficulty. Capt. Chaworth-Musters was educated at Rugby, and was a cadet at Woolwich Academy on the outbreak of war, receiving a commission in the RFA shortly afterwards. Lieut. PG Chaworth-Musters, the eldest son, died of wounds in January, 1915.’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) A family grave in Annesley and Felley Cemetery, adjacent to All Saints Church, commemorates members of the Chaworth-Musters family including Philip Mundy and his brothers: 'Sacred to the memory of Robert Chaworth-Musters MC, Captn 12th Battn Kings Royal Rifles, died in hospital Octr 10th 1918, after 4 years & 2 months service, aged 22. Also of his brothers Patricius George Chaworth-Musters, Lieut 1st Battn Kings Royal Rifles, fell in France Jany 11th 1915, aged 26, buried at Bethune. And Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters MC, Captn RFA fell in Flanders, July 17th 1917, aged 22. Buried at Poperinghe. He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life' Family memorial in All Saints Church, Annesley Woodhouse (WMA26871): ‘To the glorious memory of Patricius George Chaworth-Musters (text), Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters MC (text) and Robert Chaworth-Musters MC (text), eldest, fourth and fifth sons of John Patricius Chaworth-Musters Esq of Annesley Park, Notts, and their cousin, Roger Michael Chaworth-Musters, Lieutenant 50th Squadron Royal Flying Corps, second son of Lancelot George BM Chaworth-Musters Esq, of Field Dalling, Norfolk, He fell in aerial combat in France May 7th 1917 aged 19. In the morning of their lives.’