BETTS, Cecil Christopher


No.31295, Private, Cecil Christopher BETTS
Aged 33


2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment
Killed in Action on Monday, 9th April 1917


Cecil Christopher BETTS was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q1-1884 4A:596), son of Benjamin and Kate BETTS (née WILLIS).

1891 census...Aged 7, he was at Maypole Terrace, Haverhill with his father Benjamin BETTS [33] clothier's warehouseman, born Kedington; his mother Kate [31] born Steeple Bumpstead; brothers Benjamin Horace [8]and Garnet William [5]; sisters Blanche Maude [3] and Edith Priscilla [1]. All the children were born in Haverhill.

1901 census...Aged 17, a clothing warehouseman, he was at 14 The Pightle, Haverhill with his parents; brothers Horace B [clothing warehouseman) and Garnet (warehouse office boy); sisters Blanche M, Edith P. and Winifred K.[9] born Haverhill.

In 1907 he married Mabel EMSON [19-3-1889] who later married ? to ? MOORE and lived at "F" Passage, 2 Married Quarters, Rifle Depot, Winchester.

1911 census...Aged 27, clothing warehouse clerk, he was at Meadow View, Helions Bumpstead with his widowed mother in law Eliza EMSON [57] born Alton, Hampshire; his wife Mabel [21] born Long Ditton, Surrey and their sons Leslie Cecil[3] and Reginald William [2], both born in Helions Bumpstead.

The pension card has his widow at Helions Bumpsead initially, with their three children, Leslie Cecil (18-11-1907), Reginald William (1-5-1909) and Phyllis Mabel (6-12-1914) but re-marrying to ? MOORE and living at Rifle Depot, Winchester.( this marriage registration has not been found)

His brother, Benjamin Horace BETTS was killed serving in Belgium in the King's (Liverpool Regiment) in 1917 see here



He enlisted in Warley, Essex. On the opening day of the Battle of Arras, the battalion war diary has:-
" Y HUTS - 9th - At 4:25 am The Battalion (less officers and other ranks as laid down in S.S.) moved by march route to the Assembly Area west of St Nicholas.At zero hour the battalion was about the St VAAST bridge and saw our barrage fall. Reached the Assembly Area at 8 am. Tools etc issued. Hot meal from the cookers issued. At 10 o'clock move from the Assembly Area commenced, marched by platoons at 100 yards distance.
On reaching our own front line the Battalion got into artillery formations and continued the advance till the cemetery N of St LAURENT BLAGNY was reached. Halted by Brigade order received from Staff Captain for one hour to allow the CAMERONS to pass through tot he attack of the BROWN LINE. Crossed the BLUE LINE at 1:10 pm.
The attack of the 4th Division was now in line, 2nd LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS on the right and 1st SOMERSETY LIGHT INF on the left. Reached the BROWN LINE at 2:10 pm and halted. Companies deployed into waves ad fixed bayonets for the attack.
At 3:10 pm advance from BROWN LINE commenced. Hostile artillery NIL. First three prisoners captured by the mopping up party in CAM Trench. At 3:20 pm Ravine NE of ATHIES crossed. Four 5.9 inch guns and one 77 m/m captured. Some of the crews captured in dug-outs. Reached the 4th German system at 3:40 pm. Wire uncut, could see most of the enemy running away. Two hostile M.Gs opened fire in front of us and killed three men cutting the wire. These were put out of action by two of our Lewis guns, the gunners advancing firing from the hip.
Entered the 4th German system and cleared out dug-outs. Total prisoners captured about 150 and 3 machine guns. Advanced to the GREEN LINE at 4:10 pm. Line formed and consolidated on sunken road running from FAMPOUX to the HYDERABAD REDOUBT. Enemy quiet, a few HE shells fell in the position between 3\:30 and 7 pm and some shrapnel was burst over us. Patrols pushed out to gain touch with the enemy. Touch gained on right with the 2nd LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS and on the left with the 1st SOMERSET LIGHT INF and RIFLE BRIGADE. Weather throughout the operation fine with occasional showers.
Casualties 11 O.R. killed 68 O.R. wounded 4 O.R. missing. Capt R de A.G.Moneypenny wounded


CWGC figures show 27 of the battalion killed of which 11 have no known grave.





photo: Rodney Gibson



Cecil Betts is buried in Fampoux British Cemetery, grave A:18

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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