Cecil is listed as being killed in action on 21st March 1918, the first day of the German Spring Offensive. The 1st/24th Battalion war diary entries for the period 20th to 22nd March are transcribed below.
War Diary Entries 20th to 22nd March
Rocquicny - 20.3.1918: 142 Brigade moves into forward area as Support Brigade. Leave Rocquicny 2pm. In position 5pm. H.Q. B & D in village of Metz, A & C at Winchester Valley (Q.21.c).
Lt H.S. Mitchell and 2/Lt A.J. Taylor rejoin Battalion.
Capt. F.G. Gill leaves for L.G. Course.
Metz-en-Coutre – 21.3.1918: Heavy enemy bombardment and many gas shells – opens about 3am.
6am: Battalion ‘standing to’.
7am: move up through barrage to 2nd Defence System (about Q.17.a & c.). ‘A’ & ‘B’ front line – ‘C’ and ‘D’ support. In position about noon.
Casualties in Mezt and moving up:– Lt. Col. D. H. MILLINER, DSO, MC, wounded; Major H.L.F.B. Nadaufi, killed; Lieut. H.S. MITCHELL killed; 2/Lieut. G.B. POLAND, killed; RSM H.W. Norris DCM killed
Major H.O. BURY assumes command.
Remainder of day we work on trenches.
Raids reported on our Divisional Front but actual attacks on flanks to north and south.
Metz-en-Coutre – 22.3.1918: Fairly quiet day. Consolidating our positions.
2/Lieut. H. Whitehead to Depot for Course.
2/Lieut. D. O’Kell to Depot as T.O.
2/Lieut. A.C. Bean from Depot reports for duty.
Transport at Equancourt.
Bodies of Major H.L.P. Evans and 2/Lieut. G.B. Poland buried there in civilian cemetery. Front lines retire through us. Midnight.
Stratford Herald Obituary
Stratford on Avon Herald - Friday 19th April 1918
KILLED IN ACTION PRIVATE C. J. HOWE
Councillor and Mrs. J. Howe on Wednesday received the sad news that their youngest son Private Cecil J.Howe of the Queen’s Own attached to the 1st 24th London Regiment was killed on the 21st ult., the first day of the great battle. Private Howe was 30 years of age and leaves a widow and one child aged 6. He was a
cashier in the London County and [Westminster] Bank at Southend and has been in service of the bank 12 years.
He joined 2nd 5th Buffs in January 1916. He volunteered for service in France after six months training. In November 1916 he contracted dysentery and was in hospital at Walcliffe, Sheffield during February 1917 when he was transferred to a convalescent hospital in Barton on Sea, rejoining his regiment in September of last year, going across the water again on December 6th 1917.
Private Cecil Howe had many friends in Stratford and their sincere sympathy will go out to the bereaved widow and parents.
