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Ronald's Keith Phillips' father Samuel came to Canada from England in 1912 at the age of 16 years. Like many other railroaders, Ron's father settled in Rivers, Manitoba and then moved to Transcona to work at the Transcona Shops shortly thereafter.

On 2 February 1916, Ronald's father enlisted in the army. He left Transcona and served 23½ months with 101st Overseas Battalion in France and Belgium. There he suffered a gun shot wound (GSW) through the left arm above the elbow and a shrapnel wound (SW) to the back of his left hand. On 26 February 1919, Samuel Phillips was discharged from the army and returned to Transcona to work in the railway shops and raise his family.

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Phillips family portrait: Margorie (sister), Ronnie, Mabel (mother) and Samuel (father)
1936
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

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On August 8, 1925, Ronald Keith Phillips was born in Transcona. He was the only son of Samuel and Mabel Phillips of 142 Whittier Avenue. "Ronnie" was the younger brother of Marjorie. His baby sister Joan, was born just a few short months after he enlisted.

As a youth growing up in Transcona, Ronnie Phillips delivered newspapers as a "carrier boy" for the Winnipeg Tribune and played hockey with the Maple Leaf Hockey Club. He enjoyed summers with swimming and fishing at Lake Malachi, a popular destination along the CNR line where many Transcona railway families spent their time. Like many of his friends, Ronnie attended St. George's Anglican Church and was educated at Central School in Transcona. He then became an Apprentice in the CNR Railway Shops where he was employed in the car department.

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Ron Phillips on his bike, with his dog by his side
1935
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

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The Phillips family in a canoe Ronnie Phillips seated in front
July 1936
Lake Malachi, North-Western Ontario

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Ron Phillips
December 1939
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

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In June of 1943, Ronald Keith Phillips decided to follow in his father's footsteps in service to King and Country. He voluntarily enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy. Like many other young men, "Ronnie" was not "of age" when he joined up, so he lied on his application in order to get into the Service. He was 17 years old when he enlisted.

While in the Royal Canadian Navy, Ordinary Seaman, Ronald Keith Phillips served aboard the HMCS Cornwallis and the HMCS Valleyfield. He was stationed on the HMCS Valleyfield when disastrous misfortune struck the officers and crew.

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Ronald Keith Phillips
July 1943
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

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Just shortly before midnight on May 6, 1944, the warship HMCS Valleyfield was 50 miles south of Cape Race, Newfoundland when a German submarine "U-548" fatally torpedoed it. The torpedo struck the frigate with such force that a huge explosion followed. The vessel broke in two pieces and sunk within two minutes of the surprise attack.

Many of the crew was killed instantly. Some were trapped in the sinking warship while others grabbed for life jackets and pieces of the wreckage as the struggled to survive in the cold, icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Of 163 men aboard the warship, OS Ronald Keith Phillips was among the 125 men who perished that night. OS Ronald Keith Phillips died in his country's service on May 7, 1944 at age 18.

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Ron Phillips is reported missing at sea
1944
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Transcona News

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Word of the fatal tragedy traveled back to his family in Transcona. An article appeared a few days later in the May 11th issue of the Transcona News indicating, "word received by parents, only son is missing at sea". A week later, a "card of thanks" that expressed the family's appreciation for the outpouring of sympathy, appeared in the local paper. Left to mourn were his family, parents Samuel and Mabel Phillips as well as sisters Marjorie and Joan who lived together at 142 Whittier Avenue in Transcona.

In the years after his death, Ronald Keith Phillip was recognized for his supreme sacrifice and service to King and Country during WWII. His name is on the Cenotaph now located in Memorial Park Circle in Transcona (at Ravelston and Wabasha); and on the Halifax Memorial (Panel 10) in Nova Scotia, Canada. Ronald Keith Phillips' name was later engraved on his father's headstone in the Field of Honour section at the Transcona Cemetery (Row 4, Lot 105). Also Phillips Point, which is located in Big Flat Lake in Manitoba, was named after Ronald Keith Phillips in 1989.

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This plaque was created by the family of Ron Phillips to remember him by
1944
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

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Certificate presented to Phillips family
2 May 2004
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Naval Museum of Manitoba

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Today, visitors to the Transcona Historical Museum may find Ronald Phillips' name (with over 800 other names) on two original documents: the CNR Transcona Shops (Car Department) Honour Roll, and the Central School Honour Roll (that hung in the school formerly located on Day Street).