Second Lieutenant Cecil Frank Carson
- Rank
- Second Lieutenant
- Service number
- 234
- Unit
- 44 Battalion
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action
- Place of death
- Dernancourt, France
- Date of death
- 4 April 1918
- Age
- 23
- Plaque number
- M28
- Dedicated by
- National Bank on 3 August 1919
- More information
Cecil Frank Carson was born at Greenough near Geraldton in 1894 to parents Henry Carson and Mary Ann Ryan who were married in Geraldton in 1891.
He was one of five siblings with one sister and three brothers.
Very little is known about Cecil’s early years, on leaving school he was employed as a bank clerk with the National Bank in Kalgoorlie.
Cecil enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) in January 1916. He conducted his training at Blackboy Hill where he was attached to 44 Battalion.
Cecil embarked with B Company from Fremantle in June 1916, arriving in Plymouth, England in August 1916.
Cecil proceeded overseas to France in November 1916, whilst there he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major (CSM).
He returned to England in September in June 1917 where he was selected for officer training. He was appointed in December 1917 as a Second Lieutenant returning to France in 1918.
It was on the 4 April 1918 that Cecil was in the frontline near Sailly le Sec on the Somme River when they came under heavy bombardment. It was during this time two German soldiers were seen advancing towards the 44-battalion line.
Cecil with two other men went out to capture them, finding them unarmed. One of the Germans refused to be taken prisoner and was shot by the Australians. The other German soldier was brought back to the 44-battalion line.
On returning to the line, Cecil was shot through his groin and mortally wounded by a German sniper.
Second Lieutenant Cecil Frank Carson of 44 Battalion was killed in action at Dernacourt, France on 4 April 1918, he was 23 years of age.
He is buried in the Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension, France and is remembered with honour.
Cecil’s brother Vivian also enlisted into the A.I.F. where he was attached to 16 Battalion. He was later transferred to 32 Battalion and was killed in action near Corbie France on 17 June 1918.