Philip Thomson's Story.
Philip Bruce was born in 1898 in Bebington and was the son of Thomas Watson and Lucy Bruce.
In 1901 the family were living at 51 Old Chester Road with his father Thomas a Nautical Optician and mother Lucy with his brother and sister. Also in the household were a nurse and a domestic servant.
Ten years later the family had moved to 30 Ashburton Road, Oxton. Philip entered Birkenhead School in 1909 having previously been in Preparatory. He was a member of the football team.
He joined the Liverpool Scottish in July 1916 then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, travelling to France in March 1918 and joined the 43rd Squadron.
He was reported missing for some weeks until news was received that he had been shot down and killed south of Albert. He was described as an excellent pilot.
Information provided by Chris