Charles Phillott was born in Leckhampton, Gloucestershire, on 11 June 1891, the son of George Henry Phillott (Architect & Civil Engineer) and Ethel Maude Phillott. He joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet on 15 September 1904 and was promoted to Midshipman on 15 May 1909.  Promotion to Sub Lieutenant followed on 15 March 1912.

He was appointed to HMS DOLPHIN for submarine training on 13 January 1913 and then to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS BONAVENTURE ‘for Submarines’ on 20 April 1913. Sub Lieutenant Charles Phillott was appointed to HMS C4 as First Lieutenant at Portsmouth on 1 June 1913. Promotion to Lieutenant followed on 15 May 1914.

Charles Phillott was next appointed to the HMS E6 as First Lieutenant on 6 March 1915. E6 left Harwich on 26 December 1915 for a patrol in the North Sea. In the area of the Sunk Light Vessel Submarine E6 was warned, by a patrol vessel, to keep well clear but shortly afterwards the submarine struck a mine and was sunk with all hands.

Charles Phillott of Place Trevor, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial on Panel No. 7

NOTE:  Charles Phillott is understood to have invented (with Lieutenant Ruck-Keene) a fuse which could be activated either by direct action or by delayed action and (with Paymaster Lieutenant Clarence Teasdale-Buckell) a telescope for seeing submarines at long range and a device for the protection of ships against mines. A payment was made to his estate in respect of the latter invention.