Cecil Gordon Wyborn 1895 – 1915
Cecil was born on 25th December 1895 in Alkham, to parents Arthur, a farmer, and Edith Annie (née Munn). Arthur died when Cecil was ten years old.
On 14th May 1910, Cecil enrolled as a Band Boy in the Royal Marines Band at Eastry, aged just 14. He was described as being 4’ 9½” tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.
Apart from his musical ability he could swim and was good at gymnastics. The 1911 Census shows him living in Eastney, Portsmouth but in May 1912, he was discharged with a comment on his record stating that he was “not likely to become an officer”. He had grown to 5’ 3¼” and went to Fredville Park. In 1913, his mother was living at Glebe View, Shepherdswell and it is likely that he lived with her.
It is not known what he did next but on 8th September 1914, aged 18, he enlisted in the 8th Battalion, The Buffs, East Kent Regiment. He was ranked as a private with the service no. G1435, and saw action in France and Flanders, before being declared ‘Missing, Presumed Dead’ on 26th September 1915.
He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, with his Commonwealth War Graves Commission certificate stating that his mother was living in Tunbridge Wells.