William Garside Phillips JP was a pioneer in mining education, the managing director of Ansley Hall Colliery and chair of the Atherstone Rural District Association from 1907 to 1929. He was called The Field Marshal of Warwickshire Coalfield.
Family and personal life
William Garside Phillips was born in Hyde, Manchester to John Phillips and Eliza Wilde, into “a nest of colliers”. In March 1931, the Phillips family made a donation to St Lawrence Church, Ansley, consisting of a new West Window, designed by Karl Parsons, an oak screen, choir stalls and electric lighting, all dedicated to Phillips’ memory. At the dedication service the Bishop of Coventry delivered the address. ==Mining==
Mining
Phillips began working at Hyde and Haughton Collieries at the age of nine. He was described as the “Field-Marshal of the Warwickshire coalfield”. ==Mining roles==
Mining roles
• Warwickshire Coalfield Wage Board, chair • Warwickshire School of Mining, founder • Chesterfield and Midland Institute of Mining Engineers, president • Warwickshire Mining Students’ Association, president • Mining Association of Great Britain, Warwickshire representative ==Community==
Community
Phillips was the leader of the Nuneaton division of the Conservative and Unionist Party In 1906 he became Justice of the peace for Warwickshire, taking his seat on the Atherstone bench. Other roles included: • Nuneaton Conservative Party, chair • Ansley Parish Council, chair • Atherstone Board of Guardians, chair • Board of guardians Vaccination Committee, chair • Atherstone Rural District Council, chair (1907–1929) • Nuneaton Town Cricket Club, president • Charity of St John Twycross and John Perkins, trustee ==References==