Name
Cecil Joseph Hands*1
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/04/1918
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
15026
Royal Marines
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DOVER (ST. JAMES'S) CEMETERY
P.W.24A or P.W.51A (records differ)
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St. Thomas’ Church Memorial, West Hyde
Pre War
Born in Oakham, Rutland, in 1900 Cecil was the son of Joseph and Amy (nee Sharman) Hand. In 1901 Joseph was described as a General Labourer on Farm and Sub postmaster, and he, Amy and Cecil were living Whissendine Road, Knossington, Leicestershire. In 1911 they were still in Knossington, with two more children, and Joseph described as a Woodman.
He enlisted on 05/07/1916 place not known.
Wartime Service
Cecil was killed in action during the Zeebrugge Raid. This was an attempt by the Royal Navy to block the port of Bruges-Zeebrugge, (in use by the Germans as a U-boat base),by sinking obsolete vessels across the entrance. Although this was done the Germans had the port back in use within a few days.
The gallantry of the marines was such that the whole battalion was nominated for a collective Victoria Cross. No such award could be made but two men were chosen by ballot of the survivors to receive it.
The Battalion suffered horrendous casualties – around 340 killed or wounded out of a complement of 740 – and as a mark of respect has never been reformed.
Additional Information
*1 More corroboration is needed to be certain that this our man. In 1939 Joseph, now a Mixed Farmer, Amy, their son Ernest and his wife Alice, were living Pedley Hill Farm, Berkhamsted.
Acknowledgments
Mike Collins
