Capt Hon William Amherst Cecil MC


William Amherst Cecil was born in London on the 30th June, 1886, the eldest son of Colonel Lord William Cecil, Grenadier Guards, and Lady William Cecil, Baroness Amherst of Hackney, and heir to the Barony. He was educated at Eton, and joined the Grenadier Guards in August, 1907, becoming Lieutenant in July, 1908. For his services in the Great War he was mentioned in Sir John French's Despatch of the 8th October, 1914, was awarded the Military Cross, and recommended for the Legion of Honour. He was promoted Captain on the 9th September, 1914. Captain Cecil was at Landrecies in command of the Machine Gun Section of the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, and was killed at the Battle of the Aisne on the 16th September, 1914.

Captain Cecil was very keen about his profession, especially everything in relation to machine guns; he was a clever draughtsman and took a special interest in Egyptology, in which he was an expert. He was very musical, played the piano, and also the bagpipes. He was also fond of all sports, particularly cricket, hunting, yachting, and shooting. He was a member of the Guards' and the Junior Carlton clubs. Captain Cecil married in 1910, Evelyn Gladys, only child of Henry Baggallay, Esq., of Heatherhurst Grange, Frimley, Surrey, and left two sons, William Alexander Evering, born May, 1912, and Henry Kerr Auchmutz, born April, 1914, the elder of whom becomes heir to the Barony of Amherst of Hackney.


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