Rfn
William Cecil Travis

Information about birth

Date of birth:
20/10/1895
Place of birth:
Australia, Australia

General information

Last known residence:
Linwood, Christchurch, New Zealand
Profession:
Commercial Traveller
Religion:
Church of England

Army information

Country:
New Zealand
Force:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Rifleman
Service number:
49031
Enlistment date:
20/02/1917
Enlistment place:
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Units:
 —  New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 3rd Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
19/11/1917
Place of death:
Reutel, Beselare, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
22

Cemetery

Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood
Plot: II
Row: A
Grave: 14

Distinctions and medals 2

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.

Sources 8

"From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth, the New Zealand Division on the Western Front 1916-1918",Gray J.H., Willsonscott Publishing, Christchurch NZ, 2010, page 159 - 161
Sources used
"The Official History of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade", Austin W.S., The Naval | Military Press Ltd, Uckfield UK, 2007, page 251-254
Sources used
Cenotaph
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C15918?srt=relevance&n=Travis+49031&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0
Sources used
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/480477/travis,-william-cecil/
Sources used
Image
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C15918?srt=relevance&n=Travis+49031&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0
Sources used
NZEF Project
https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=258137
Sources used
Service Record
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21458206
Sources used
The long long trail
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Sources used