56841 Rifleman Cecil Frederick Putt
A Company 4th Battalion
3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
7th January 1918
Born on 10/10/1888 in Auckland New Zealand.
His parents were Henry Putt(22/12/1857-30/07/1945) and Emma Foote Mullett
(1854-07/02/1923). They married in 1884.
Cecil had a brother,Reginald Henry(13/11/1884-21/03/1958) and a sister,
Edna Beatrice(1890-1899).
In the 1911 electoral register, the family were recorded as living on Glen Road, Taranaki,
New Zealand. Cecil was employed as a clerk and his father was a carpenter.
The 1914 showed that the family were now living at 514 Devon Street,New Plymouth,New Zealand.
Cecil was working for the New Plymouth borough council as a clerk.
On 18/02/1916 Cecil married Hilda Oliver
(25/07/1892-18/06/1969). They had a son,
Cecil Winston(14/11/1917-08/04/1997).
He enlisted in New Plymouth on 18/04/1917. His medical held the same day,recorded the following details;
Apparent Age - 28 years, Height - 5 feet 8 inches, weight 119 lbs.
Chest Measurement - minimum 31 inches, maximum 35 inches.
Complexion - pallor, Eyes - blue, Hair - dark brown.
Scars on both legs and thighs from operations for varicose veins.
Cecil left New Zealand on 26/07/1917 and it was almost 2 months later when he dis-embarked in Plymouth, England on 24/09/1917. 3 days later he marched into the camp at Brocton.
He had previously held the rank of Lance Corporal,but on 27/09/1917 he reverts to the ranks.
The journey to France was made on 23/10/1917 and completed on 26/10/1917 when they marched into camp at Etaples.
Cecil was posted to A company and joined his battalion in the field on 03/11/1917,but was later admitted to
No.4 NZ field ambulance on 23/11/1917 due to sickness,before being moved to a casualty clearing station the same day . On 03/12/1917 saw him rejoin his unit.
He was once again at hospital sick on 27/12/1917, being admitted to No.1 NZ field ambulance,before rejoining his unit on 01/01/1918.
He died of wounds received in action on 07/01/1918.
Cecil was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
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Taranaki Herald - 22 January 1918
The sad news that Private Cecil Frederick Putt of the Reinforcements had died of wounds in France, was received on Monday night. Private Putt was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Putt of Glen Road, New Plymouth and previous to enlisting was on the clerical staff of the borough council. He leaves a wife and infant child.
Cecil is also remembered on the 3rd panel next to the pulpit in St Mary's Anglican Church, New Plymouth,
New Zealand.
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