S/4310, Private, 13th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade
Died on the 25th January 1917 aged 23
Cecil was the son of Edward & Eliza Cooper of 24 Hellards Road, Stevenage. Before joining the Army he worked as a local Blacksmith.
He arrived in France on the 25th July 1915 and served continually on the Western Front for 18 Months. On the 25th January 1917, whilst returning from France for his first leave, he suddenly collapsed at Victoria station in London. He was taken to the 2nd London General Hospital where the nursing staff found a letter in his pocket addressed to his mother. She was sent for and managed to reach her son, who had remained in a semi-conscious state, before he sadly died having suffered heart failure.
Cecil was buried in the St.Nicholas Churchyard, Stevenage, with the proceedings being administered by the Reverend John Robins. A compliment of troops stationed in the town fired three salutes and a trumpeter played the Last Post.
Medal Entitlement: British War Medal & Victory Medal