Military History

Cyrus is listed as being killed in action on 9th July 1915. A report in the Rugby Advertiser on states that Cyrus was shot through the head by a sniper in the early hours of 9th July whilst carrying out a bombing raid on enemy lines. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the 8th, 9th & 10th July are transcribed below:-

8th July 1915. Trenches - Canal Bank: D Coy heavily shelled in morning. 11th Bde heavily engaged all day fighting mostly with hand grenades. 1 Platoon B Coy sent up to reinforce D Coy whose bombers were sent up to front line trenches.

9.30pm: B Coy relieved D Coy in support, A Coy were put in reserve at Hulls Farm to 11th Bde. C & D Coys were relieved by 147th Brigade & went into bivouac at Elverdinghe Chateau. Major Forster and Major Bannerman rejoined at 2am being relieved by Colonel Palk, Hampshire Regt.

Casualties: 2 Lieut Lewis (4th S. Staffs) & 2nd Lieut Johnson killed. Other ranks 8 killed, 54 wounded. 2nd Lieut J.H. Bennett wounded (shell shock).

9^th July 1915 - Elverdinghe Chateau: Left for Houtkerque at 8pm. 13 miles arrived 1.30am & went into bivouacs about 2 miles from the village. 2 machine guns handed over to 147^th Brigade.

Casualties A & B Coys: Other ranks 2 killed; 16 wounded, 3 missing.

Reinforcements: 38 other ranks joined

10^th July 1915 - Houtkerque: A & B Coys rejoined having come in Motor Buses from Elverdinghe. Got settled down, men cleaned up etc.