Private Cecil John Parsons, 9th Australian Infantry Battalion
Australian War MemorialCecil Parsons was born on the 10th of October 1893 in Ottaba, Queensland. He was one of 14 children born to John Parsons, a builder, and his wife Sarah. Cecil received his education at the local public school, and was working as a dairyman and farmer near Esk when the First World War broke out in 1914.
Cecil Parsons enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 12 January 1916. He was assigned to the 18th Reinforcements of the 9th Battalion and embarked for active service on 4 May, sailing from Brisbane on the troopship Seang Choon.
After a short time in Egypt, Private Parsons embarked for England. During training, he contracted an infection and was sent to hospital. So he did not join his unit in France until 17 December 1916. Parsons and his comrades passed a freezing and wet Christmas in the trenches, as the coldest winter in years set in. Shortly before New Year’s Day, Parsons contracted another infection and was again sent for treatment.
Parsons re-joined his unit once more in early January 1917. Soon after, the enemy began making a strategic withdrawal to the fortified Hindenburg Line. Their retreat was eagerly followed by allied units. They were confronted by well-prepared rear-guard defences and booby-trapped towns, which resulted in a series of bloody clashes with the enemy. Private Parson’s unit was caught in one at Lagnicourt in April, and at Bullecourt in May, where Australian units suffered thousands of casualties.
After that carnage, Parsons’ unit was moved to Belgium. They next took part in the battle of Menin Road, in which the 1st and 2nd Divisions sustained over 5,000 casualties. After this battle, the two divisions were relieved and sent behind the lines for a period of rest.
In October, Parsons was again thrust into the heavy fighting near the Belgian village of Broodseinde. There, advancing troops were tasked with capturing the heavily defended high ground. When the allied barrage opened and the troops began their advance, they were met by German troops who had advanced under their own barrage. After a bitter and costly battle, Australian units took all of their objectives, but at enormous cost, suffering more than 6,000 casualties. Among the dead was Private Cecil Parsons.
One of his comrades wrote to Parson's parents and said:
“There was a small party, consisting of two officers and four runners, all going up to the front-line reconnoitring. On our way up, and close to the trench, were a lot of shells bursting. One burst in our midst, wounding one officer and killing your son Cecil instantly. I feel your son’s death very much… we became great pals and I can tell you I miss him very much.”
Parsons’ final resting place was lost during later fighting. Today, he is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial to the missing in Ypres in Belgium.
Private Cecil Parsons was 24 years old.
- AWM Roll of Honour https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1656882
