Major General Sir Philip Gordon Grant KCB CMG CB

  General Notes:

as the chief engineer of the Fifth Army in the First World War rallied the defence against the German offensive of March 1918.

The Times 14 Dec 1936

Major General Sir Philip Grant, KCB, CMG, has left the Army Reserve of Officers at the age limit of 67, after cadet, engineer and reserve service covering 50 years.

Among his appointments have been those of Field Engineer in the Chitral operations, ADC and DAAG during the South African War, CRE and Field Engineer in the Somaliland campaign, Director of Works with the Egyptian Army, CRE, 8th Division in France, Chief Engineer of the Suez Canal Defences and with the EEF Chief Engineer with the XV Army Corps in Mesopotamia and France and with the Fifth Army, Director of Public Works in Palestine, Commandant of the School of Military Engineering and GOC Chatham, Inspector of RE and Director of Works at the War Office. He retired in 1931.

1915 Star, disembarked France 7 April 1915, Royal Engineers, Staff Corps.

The Times 16 Jul 1943

Major General Sir Philip Grant, KCB, CMG, who died at Hurtsborne Priors, Hampshire, on July 14, had a long and distinguished military career. His cadet, engineer and reserve service covered 50 years.

Philip Gordon Grant was born on December 10, 1869, youngest son of the late Colonel J M Grant, RE. From Woolwich he was gazetted to the Royal Engineers in 1888. Seven years later he served in the Chitral operations, gaining the medal and clasp, and by the time the South African War broke out he had reached the rank of captain. He acted as an extra staff officer (DAAG) in that campaign, his services being mentioned in dispatches, and he received the Queen's medal with three clasps and the King's medal with two clasps.

In 1903 he was again on active service in the Aden Hinterland, and the next year went to Somaliland as CRE and field engineer. He was seconded to the Egyptian Army from 1909 to 1914 as Director of Military Works. During the 1914-18 war he served as CRE, 8^th Division in France, as chief engineer of the Suez Canal defences, as chief engineer with the XV Army Corps in Mesopotamia and in France with the Fifth Army. He became lieutenant colonel in 1915, and his services were recognized by mention in dispatches, the CMG in 1916, the CB in 1918 and promotion to major general.

When the last war was over he went to Palestine in 1921 as Director of Public Works, returning in 1923 to this country become Commandant of the School of Military Engineering at Chatham and GOC, Chatham Area. He held those appointments until 1927, having also been Inspector of Royal Engineers 1926-27. His last active work was done at the War Office as Director of Works, which he held from 1927 to 1931, when he retired and was advanced to KCB. On reaching the age limit of 67 in 1937 he ceased to be a member of the Reserve of Officers.

In 1907 he married Annette, fourth daughter of John Coventry, of Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, and had two sons and three daughters.

  Noted events in his life were:

• He served in the military Royal Engineers.

• Address: 1871, The School of Military Engineering, Gillingham, Kent.

• Occupation/Address: Scholar, 1881, Mill Hill House, Woolwich Arsenal, London.

• Address: 1936, The Long House, Hurstborne Priors, Whitchurch, Hampshire.

Philip married Lady Annette Mary Coventry, daughter of John Coventry and Emily Mary Weld, on 27 Nov 1907. (Lady Annette Mary Coventry was born on 6 Jul 1884 in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire and died on 13 May 1963.)