Name
Cecil Arthur Noakes Hallworth
1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/12/1916
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
8193
London Regiment
7th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
Plot X, Row C, Grave 41.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
GOD GAVE HIM A WORK TO DO AND HE DID IT
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Andrew's Church Memorial, Watford, Not on the Hemel Hempstead memorials
Pre War
Cecil Arthur Hallworth was born in Watford on 27 February 1887, the son of John and Harriet Eliza Hallworth (nee Howlett) and baptised on 26 June 1887 at St Andrew’s, Watford. His parents married on 25 September 1883 at St John’s, Paddington, London. He also had and older sister Ethel born on 28 August 1884 and baptised on 26 October 1884.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at 33 Nascot Street, Watford, when Cecil was aged 4. His father was working as a Railway Clerk, and he was the only child. (N.B. his sister was not listed).
He attended first Callowland Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School from 14 January 1895 to 1 August 1901, when he went to St Augustine’s, School, Kilburn, London.
On the 1901 Census the family remained in Watford, but had moved to 181 St Albans Road. His father remained a Railway Clerk. His sister Ethel, aged 16, was then living with them and was working as a Learner at the Post Office.
On the 1911 Census the family were living at 4 Canterbury Road, Watford and Cecil was then a typist aged 24. His sister Ethel was living at home and working as a Railway Clerk, along with her father.
At some point Cecil was living in Hemel Hempstead as he gave that as his place of residence on enlistment.
(His father John died 3 November 1936 aged 81 and his mother Harriet died 26 April 1942 aged 86; both in Watford. His sister is recorded on the 1939 Register as single and working as a LMS Railway Clerk.)
Wartime Service
Cecil enlisted in Fulham, London on 28 October 1915 and initially joined the 25th Battalion (Cyclists), London Regiment, as Private 2689, being later transferred to the 7th Battalion.
He was wounded on 27 December 1916 from gun shot wounds received in action and died the following day at the No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on 28 December 1916, aged 29. He is buried at Lijssenthoek Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium.
Additional Information
His father, John Hallworth Esq, 4 Canterbury Road, Watford, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "GOD GAVE HIM A WORK TO DO AND HE DID IT". His father received a war gratuity of £4 and pay owing of £4 4s.
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Cecil in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 6 January 1917. Unfortunately, Cecil’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
