SANDFORD Cecil Walter Frederick

Cecil Sandford was born in Draycott in 1895 and baptised at Blockley later the same year.  His father Frederick was a wheelwright.  Cecil was at home until at least 1911, when he was working as an apprentice wheelwright, presumably for his father.

Cecil’s personal war records have not survived but there are documents relating to his regiment.  He served with the 10th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment which was formed soon after the declaration of war.  He enlisted in Campden and his service number and the date of his transfer overseas are typical of those of a volunteer who enlisted during the autumn of 1914.  He deployed to France with his regiment in early August 1915, and within two months he was killed in action.  His military history is almost identical to that of Bertram Taylor, another Draycott man commemorated on this memorial, and it is likely that the two enlisted and served together.

Cecil had an older sister and younger brother alive in 1911.  The younger brother, Frederick Dennis George, like is brother an wheelwright apprentice, also served, after Cecil died, and he survived.  Some of his personal military papers are extant, though they are in very poor condition and in parts unreadable.  He was born in 1899 and was thus not enlisted until 1917.  He served at first in the Berkshire Regiment, then the Yorkshire Regiment in France.  He was taken prisoner, freed after the war and returned to the UK.

From the Medal Index Card and Gloucester Regiment Medals Rolls:
Cecil W.F. Sandford, Gloucestershire Regiment, L/Cpl, 13517.  Served in France from 9th August 1915.  Killed in action.  Awarded the Victory Medal, the 1915 Star and the British War Medal.

From the Gloucestershire Regiment Museum:
Cyril W.F. Sandford, born Draycott, 10 Battalion, L/Cpl, 13517, enlisted Campden, killed in action France, grave ref FR0219.

From Soldiers’ Effects:
Cecil Walter Fred Sandford, 10/Glous Regt, L/Cpl, 13517
died 25/9/15 In the Field. 3 pounds 16s 5d plus 3 pounds 10s 0d War Gratuity to father Frederick G.

N.B. Soldiers Who Died in the Great War record this casualty’s name incorrectly as Cyril Walker Fred Sandford and the Gloucester Regiment Museum as Cyril W.F. Sandford.  The birth of Cecil Walter F. Sandford is Registered in the June Quarter 1895 under the Shipston Registration District.