Name
Cecil Edward Soper
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
591115
18th (County of London) Battalion (London Irish Rifles)
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Cecil Soper was born on 8th July 1896 at Basingstoke. He was one of four sons born to James and Phyllis Soper. Two of his brothers, Daniel and Charles, both served in the Great War. At the time of the 1901 Census the family lived at 9 Lennox House, Milner Street, Chelsea, where James Soper was employed as a Coachman Domestic. The family was registered at the same address in the 1911 Census and James continued in service as a Coachman.
Cecil was first recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in December 1915 along with his brothers who were also recorded for the first time in that month, and was listed serving with the London Irish regiment. He continued to be listed with this unit throughout the War, and at some point was awarded the Military Medal.
It is not known when Cecil moved to Abbots Langley, however he was mentioned in the Hertfordshire Advertiser of 20th April 1918, serving with the London Regiment, and it was noted that his parents lived in Abbots Langley.
Cecil was listed in the Abbots Langley section of the Absent Voter Records in Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919, serving with the rank of Sergeant with the 2/18th London Regiment, and his address was given at The Royal Oak, Abbots Langley.
Cecil Soper survived the War as did his brothers Daniel and Charles.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
