Cyril was born in 1899 in Holborn, London. At the time of the 1901 Census he is 2 years old and living with his family at 51 North Street, Islington. His father Walter, 40 years old, is a Hackney Carriage driver born in Upminster, Essex. His mother, Mary Ellen is 38 years old and was born in Bloomsbury, London. He has six brothers and sisters: Nellie aged 18 a Stenographer, Walter aged 14, a Chemist’s Errand Boy, Alice 7, Stanley 5, Evelyn 3 and Jessie, 4 months.
Strangely the 1911 Census shows some of the family living with their Aunt Agnes at 61 Hayes Rd., Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. Nellie is now working in a Solicitor’s office, Cyril is now 12, Evelyn May 14, Jessie 10 and a new sister Marjorie Kathleen aged 7. Walter, Mary and Agnes are living at Turkey House, Old Rd., Clacton.
Although Army records for Cyril still exist they are in a poor condition. We know that on the 12th September 1914 Cyril attests to join the army at Westminster stating his occupation as a Waiter and being aged 19 and born in Holborn . In actuality he has lied about his age and is 15 years old. He is however over 5ft 8 inches tall and weighing just over 10 stone which at the time is bigger than many recruits. Cyril is accepted by the Army on the 18th October 1914. He lists his religion as a Baptist and joins his training unit the 13th Battalion the Rifle Brigade on the 29th July 1915, still only 16 years of age. His service number is Z2773.
Cyril joined his Battalion in France on the 18th January 1916. The 13th Rifle Brigade is part of the 111th Brigade, 37th Division. The Battalion had originally landed at Boulogne on the 31st July 1915 and was one of Kitchener’s New Army Battalions.
Cyril unfortunately gets into trouble whilst in France on two occasions the 12th May and 7th July 1916 for being absent from parade and disobeying an order and receives 7 and 28 days Field Punishment No.2. This meant that Cyril was shackled for these periods. However the 28 day punishment is cut short as the Battalion is soon in action in the Battle of the Somme. Being released from F.P.No.2 early is unfortunate for Cyril as within three days he is Killed in Action on the 10th July aged just 17.
Cyril’s Battalion arrived for the Battle of the Somme on the 6th July although they had been in the general area for the previous three months. They stayed in trenches in front of La Boiselle until the 10th July suffering continual casualties. On the 10th July at 8.45 p.m. they attacked the German front line which they took after sustaining heavy casualties. However the attack had been cancelled but the Battalion had not received this order and had to retire back to their own lines sustaining even further casualties. It is probable that Cyril died in those few hours. The Battalion suffered 400 casualties in this action.
At the time of Cyril’s death his Mother is living at 3 Blaxland Villas, Bellegrove Road, Welling , Kent, where she is informed of his death. He had written a soldier’s will in August 1915, leaving everything to his Mother. Fortunately for her, Cyril’s brother Walter who also served in the army appears to have survived the war.
Cyril has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 16B and 16C.
Commemorated
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This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to Cyril Harold Manning, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.