Rfn
Cecil Fredrick Putt

Informations sur naissance

Date de naissance:
10/10/1888
Lieu de naissance:
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Informations générales

Dernière résidence connue:
New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand
Profession:
Clerk
Religion:
Church of England

Informations service militaire

Pays:
New Zealand
Force armée:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Rifleman
Numéro de service:
56841
Incorporation date:
18/04/1917
Incorporation nom de lieu:
New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand
Unités:
 —  New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 4th Bn.  (Dernière unité connue)

Informations sur décès

Date de décès:
07/01/1918
Lieu de décès:
Noordemdhoek, Belgique
Cause du décès:
Died of wounds (D.O.W.)
Âge:
29

Cimetière

Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood
Parcelle: Special Memorial
Rangée: B
Tombe: 1

Distinctions et médailles 2

British War Medal
Médaille
Victory Medal
Médaille

Points d'intérêt 3

#1 Lieu de naissance
#2 Dernière résidence connue
#3 Lieu d'enrôlement

Mon histoire

PUTT Cecil Fredrick

Rifleman Cecil Fredrick Putt was already 28 years of age when he enlisted the 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 4st Battalion on 18th April 1917 in New Plymouth where he lived and worked.
The former clerk was married with Hilda Putt (nee Oliver) and became father of a son, Cecil Winston on 14th November 1917. When sick he was hospitalized in Rouen and returned to his unit on 1st January 1918.
Up to the end of 1917, the Allied posture had been on the basis of an early resumption of the offensive. However, it soon became apparent that the Russian collapse (the Revolution had by now taken place) would be followed by a German drive on the Western Front in the Spring.
This fact, together with the desirability of waiting for the American forces indicated a need to strengthen defences instead.
This, accordingly, became the priority on the New Zealand Division’s front, as elsewhere, and a great deal of effort was made to this end in difficult winter conditions.
On 2nd January 1918 the New Zealand Rifle Brigade went back to the front. The line was now divided into three battalion sub-sectors. The 4th Battalion replaced 3rd Auckland in Noord, which enveloped the remains of the hamlet of Noordemdhoek.
The 4th Battalion Headquarter’ “pill-box” was situated at the cross roads in J.5 central (Noordemdhoek), a spot well known in the Brigade as receiving much “dirty work” from the German artillery.
The Germans attempted to raid the point of the salient at Joiner’s Avenue in the 4th Battalion line but after a sharp fight the raiders were driven off.
Units in the forward positions worked hard to bring about some improvement in the defensive lines, and, in spite of adverse conditions, made considerable progress. The special task of the battalion for the time being in support was to assist in digging and wiring a new reserve trench, and to open up emergency overland routes to the front in preparation for meeting any possible German attack. During this tour the weather alternated between frost and snow on the one hand, and mist and drizzle on the other. German air-craft were active. Shelling continued with varying intensity upon the trenches and tracks, and carrying parties moving over the exposed routes suffered severely.
It was under these circumstances that Rifleman Cecil Fredrick Putt, 29 years old, was wounded in action. He was probably brought to the dressing post near the Butte at Polygon Wood, where he died the 7th January 1918. Now he is buried in the Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood Special Memorial B grave 1.

Sources 2

Austin W.S., The Official History of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, (Uckfield, The Naval and Military Press Ltd, 2007), page 259-262.
Sources utilisées
Gray J.H., From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth, the New Zealand Division on the Western Front 1916-1918, (Christchurch, Willsonscott Publishing, 2010), page 175-177.
Sources utilisées

Complément d’informations 5