Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

An interesting ‘Jack the Ripper’ association Jubilee 1887 Medal awarded to Police Sergeant W. Phelps, City of London Police, who is recorded in the casebook of the ‘Whitechapel Murders’ as assisting Inspector Izzard and Sergeant Dudman in keeping public order after the discovery of Catherine Eddowes’ mutilated body in Mitre Square, 30 September 1888. Her body was discovered within an hour of that of Elizabeth Stride - with their murders, taking place less than a mile apart, being more commonly known at the time as the “Double Event”
Jubilee 1887, bronze, City of London Police (P.S., 13. W. Phelps.) with bronze top riband bar, nearly extremely fine

Pair: H. W. Phelps, Postal Service
Imperial Service Medal, G.V.R., 3rd issue (Henry William Phelps.); Jubilee 1935, engraved ‘H. W. Phelps’, nearly extremely fine

Pair: Private A. C. Phelps, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment
British War and Victory Medals (97481 Pte. A. C. Phelps. Notts. & Derby. R.) good very fine (5) £600-£800

William Henry Phelps was born in Bassalleg, Newport, Wales, in 1851. He joined the City of London Police in May 1872, and was appointed to 4th Division the following month. Phelps advanced to 2nd Class Sergeant, 3 August 1882, and to 1st Class Sergeant, 1 November 1888. It is perhaps no coincidence that the latter promotion took place shortly after his involvement in the investigation of The Whitechapel Murders.

Phelps is recorded in the casebook of the murders as being present in Mitre Square during the early hours of 30 September 1888. On the latter date the “Double Event” took place - the murder of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes within an hour of each other. The murder of Catherine Eddowes was believed to have taken place between 1.35am -1.45am, and her body was discovered shortly afterwards in the south-west corner of Mitre Square. Phelps assisted Inspector Izzard and Sergeant Dudman in keeping public order at the scene during the immediate aftermath of the mutilated body being discovered.

Phelps retired, 27 May 1897, and in later life was employed by the Post Office as a doorkeeper and a patrolman. He died at his home, 45 Skelton Road, Upton, Essex, in January 1917.

Henry William Phelps was the son of the above, and was born in Cripplegate, London, in 1876. He was employed as a Postman in London (awarded the I.S.M. London Gazette 1 December 1936.)

Arthur Cyril Phelps was the nephew of W. H. Phelps, and was born Newington, London, in January 1899. He joined the 5th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (T.F.) in 1912. He subsequently served during the Great War with the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment and the Army Service Corps. After the war Phelps moved to Ilford, Essex, and was employed as an ambulance driver. He died at Plaistow Hospital in June 1960.

Sold with comprehensive copied research, including a photographic image of William Phelps in uniform.