No.30395, Private, Cyril Frederick PRECIOUS
Aged 29
|
Cyril Frederick Precious was born in Westley Waterless in 1888 (Newmarket Q4-1888 3B:502), baptised in Westley Waterless on 26th May 1889, son of William
and Elizabeth Ann PRECIOUS
(née CURTIS).
1891 census...Aged 2 he was at The Street, Westley Waterless with his grandfather George CURTIS [76] farm labourer, born Westley, grandmother Eliza Curtis [66] born Dullingham; uncle Ambrose CURTIS [30] Army reservist born Westley, his father William PRECIOUS [34] shepherd, born Wilbraham; his mother Elizabeth A. [24](entered as CURTIS despite being married to William PRECIOUS in 1887), born Westley; brother Sydney W. CURTIS [3] born Westley and Lucy Stretton [14], born Westley and recorded as niece of George Curtis His father had served on the Royal Artillery from November 1881 to September 1882 but was invalided out. 1901 census...Aged 12, he was at 55 Westley Waterless with his parents, brothers Sydney, Albert R. [7] and George J.[6] and sisters Elsie O.[9] Alice G. [4] and Ellen M.{2]. All the new siblings were born in Westley Waterless. 1911 census...Aged 23, a farm labourer, he was still at 55 Westley Waterless with his parents (father a farm labourer),brothers Sydney and Albert (farm labourers), sisters Elsie Olive and Alice Gladys and brothers Arthur Charles [9] and Harold Bruce [3] both born in Westley Waterless. His mother had borne 10 children but two had died. 55 Westley was known as Flint Cottage. |
|
He enlisted in Newmarket."Soldiers Died" have him as Frederick PRECIOUS Of course with Cyril dying of his wounds at a General Hospital in Etaples it is impossible without his Army records to be sure where or when he was wounded. Certainly it is very likely he was wounded combating the German Spring Offensive, the Kaiserschlacht. The 9th LNL were in the 74th Brigade at the time and had been part of the Battle of Estaires. 9-11 Apr 1918, including the first defence of Givenchy. In June 1918 the 9th Battalion formed a composite battalion with the 8th Border Regiment and were transferred to 50th (Northumbrian) division. On 12th August 1918 the 9th Battalion were disbanded. |
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details