John George Phillips

John George Phillips (?, 1886 - April 15, 1912) was radio officer on board the fatal maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. Born Godalming, England, Phillips was educated locally and, after an intial career in the Post Office, he became Chief Marconi Officer on the RMS Titanic.

When the Titanic collided with an iceberg on April 14, 1912, Phillips remained at his post broadcasting the then international distress signal CQD. On the suggestion of the Captain Edward Smith, he switched to the new code SOS at 12:45 am, the first time this was ever used. Phillips remained at his post diligently transmitting the distress signal and went down with the ship.

The Phillips Memorial Cloister in Godalming was designed by Gertrude Jekyll to commemorate his bravery.