Soldier Record

Cecil was in the 8th London Regiment when wounded on the 16th September 1916 attack on High Wood, Somme.

Wounded on 16th Sepember 1916 attacking High Wood

Here is a quote from his letter home , written in pencil, to his family on the 17th September

"I am sure you will be pleased to hear from me. I expect the War Office will have told you I am wounded giving no further details.

I was cut by machine gun fire in right ear and neck, nothing to worry about - not at all serious. I was wounded in no man's land but luckily had not gone far when I was hit. I managed to roll back into trench & was attended to by stretcher-bearer & placed in a dug out & I was there for 20 hours.

You will realise how lucky I was when you know the hundreds of wounded were out in no man's land who could not get in & had no one to attend to them. I need hardly tell you it was HELL for everybody. The worst fighting of the War. Still going on. I can hear the guns.

I believe on the whole we have been very successful. I am going to have my wounds dressed. Will send wire when in England."

He was transferred to a hospital in Etaples after an 18 hour railway journey due to the congestion of traffic rather than the distance from the Somme.

I remember the scars on my grandfathers neck but only now understand their significance.

He went on to train new recruits at Blackdown. He was very proud when he was responsible for the King's guard at the Royal Pavillion, Aldershot, in July 1917