Rfn
William Cecil Travis
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 20/10/1895 |
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Place of birth: Australia, Australia |
General information
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Last known residence: Linwood, Christchurch, New Zealand |
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Profession: Commercial Traveller |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Rifleman |
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Service number: 49031 |
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Enlistment date: 20/02/1917 |
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Enlistment place: Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand |
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Units: — New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 3rd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 19/11/1917 |
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Place of death: Reutel, Beselare, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 22 |
Cemetery
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Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood Plot: II Row: A Grave: 14 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private Travis William Cecil was born in Australia but lived already for 5 years in Christchurch New Zealand. He was married with Mary Sefton and had 1 daughter Margaret and worked as commercial traveller.
On February 20th 1917 he enlisted the 3rd Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade and sailed in June 1917 to Europe.
Early in November 1917 II Anzac Corps was redeployed back into the Salient but this time south, rather than north of the Ypres-Roulers railway line. Its front ranged from Tiber for nearly 5 miles south along the key Broodseinde Ridge, in front of Polygon Wood, and down to the Reutelbeek, within a mile of the Menin Road near Gheluvelt, still held by the Germans.
On 16th November 1917 the New Zealand Division took command of the Corps right sector. Its line extended for about 1,5 miles from the salient at the Noordemdhoek through the ruins of Reutel and across the northern slopes of Cameron Covert.
The New Zealand Rifle Brigade went to the line, with the 4th and the 1st Battalions proceeded into the front line at Reutel. The 3rd Battalion came up to Clapham Junction in support, and the 2nd Battalion to Railway Dug-outs in reserve.
The headquarters of both front-line battalions of the Rifle Brigade were located in improved German tunnels in the Butte de Polygon, a huge stump-covered artificial mound in the north-eastern corner of Polygon Wood. The forward part of the sector, situated on a low plateau, was swept continuously by machine-gun fire. The whole surface of the country from the front line westward was literally disintegrated by shell-fire, and every hollow converted into a loathsome bog.
In the night of the 19th/20th November the 4th and 1st Battalions were relieved in the front line near Reutel by the 2nd and 3rd respectively. Machine-gun and artillery fire continued unabated. Headquarters being subjected to a particularly heavy bombardment on the 20th. German snipers, at first very troublesome, were now being got well under control.
It was under these circumstances that Rifleman William Cecil Travis, 22 years old, was killed in action. He was buried near the Butte at Polygon Wood. Later his body was exhumed and reburied at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, plot II, row A, grave 14.
On February 20th 1917 he enlisted the 3rd Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade and sailed in June 1917 to Europe.
Early in November 1917 II Anzac Corps was redeployed back into the Salient but this time south, rather than north of the Ypres-Roulers railway line. Its front ranged from Tiber for nearly 5 miles south along the key Broodseinde Ridge, in front of Polygon Wood, and down to the Reutelbeek, within a mile of the Menin Road near Gheluvelt, still held by the Germans.
On 16th November 1917 the New Zealand Division took command of the Corps right sector. Its line extended for about 1,5 miles from the salient at the Noordemdhoek through the ruins of Reutel and across the northern slopes of Cameron Covert.
The New Zealand Rifle Brigade went to the line, with the 4th and the 1st Battalions proceeded into the front line at Reutel. The 3rd Battalion came up to Clapham Junction in support, and the 2nd Battalion to Railway Dug-outs in reserve.
The headquarters of both front-line battalions of the Rifle Brigade were located in improved German tunnels in the Butte de Polygon, a huge stump-covered artificial mound in the north-eastern corner of Polygon Wood. The forward part of the sector, situated on a low plateau, was swept continuously by machine-gun fire. The whole surface of the country from the front line westward was literally disintegrated by shell-fire, and every hollow converted into a loathsome bog.
In the night of the 19th/20th November the 4th and 1st Battalions were relieved in the front line near Reutel by the 2nd and 3rd respectively. Machine-gun and artillery fire continued unabated. Headquarters being subjected to a particularly heavy bombardment on the 20th. German snipers, at first very troublesome, were now being got well under control.
It was under these circumstances that Rifleman William Cecil Travis, 22 years old, was killed in action. He was buried near the Butte at Polygon Wood. Later his body was exhumed and reburied at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, plot II, row A, grave 14.