Cecil Clifford Sheather

Cecil Clifford Sheather was born in Tintaldra, Victoria, on August 15 1891. He was one of thirteen children of Reuben Silas and Harriet Eleanor, Nee Waters, Sheather. By the age of 22, Cecil was farming at Cudgewa.

He enlisted at Melbourne on September 1 1915, allocated the Service Number 1428 and placed in the 1st Reinforcements for the 29th Battalion. On November 10 1915, he embarked on HMAT A11 Ascanius at Melbourne and disembarked at Suez on December 7. 

In late January of 1916, Cecil was admitted to the 8th Field Ambulance at Serapeum, Egypt, suffering from an internal derangement of one of his knee joints. Over the next two months, he would be admitted to No. 1 Stationary Hospital, No. 2 Australian General Hospital at Ghezirah, and finally No. 3 Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis.

A report from the 3rd Australian General Hospital, dated 23 February 1915, states that the disability originated six years ago in Corryong.

“Admitted to No. 2 AGH 3 wks ago with cartilage displacement, there it was reduced by MD. joint swelled, he was kept in bed, sometimes it has slipped out twice in one day for some time it used to slip back of its own accord, in the last 3 mns he has always had to have it reduced by a doctor.”

Cecil refused an operation to try to rectify the problem. It was recommended that he be discharged as permanently unfit for active service, with a 50% capacity. He embarked on HMAT A54 Runic at Suez on April 11 1916, for return to Australia. He was discharged on June 20 1916, and awarded the Victory Medal after the war.

The August 29 1918, edition of the Corryong Courier, reported on Cecil and Margaret Eliza Sloan’s wedding day.

“Wabba Wedding Bells

On June 26th, a very pretty wedding was celebrated at the residence of the bride’s parents, when Margaret (Rita) only daughter of Mr and Mrs Jas. Sloan, “The Glenn”, Wabba, was united in the holy bonds to ex Private Clifford Cecil, younger son of Mr and Mrs R.S. Sheather, “Violet Dell”, Wabba. A little more than the usual interest was taken in this wedding, it being the first in our district of a returned soldier, one who had left his bride-to-be to take part in the great war, and on being invalided home their marriage was consummated.”

Initially, Cecil and Rita would make their home on a farm near Cudgewa. In 1925, they purchased the rural property “Trentside” on the outskirts of Wodonga. Over the next few years, they would add three daughters and two sons to their family. Tragedy struck when Rita died at Wodonga Private Hospital on Sunday, 20 February 1938. She was buried in the Wodonga Cemetery.

Cecil would remarry on November 13 1954, finding a partner in Valerie Joan Brogden. Cecil passed away at the age of 74 on December 11 1965, at Albury. He would be buried in Wodonage Cemetery. Valerie died two years later at Alexandra, Victoria.