Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Wedge, a carpenter and joiner, born 14th February 1867 in Leicester and his wife Fanny Elizabeth Wedge (nee Bland, married on the 26th December 1891 in St. Saviour’s Church, Leicester), born 1868 in Stamford, Lincolnshire and was baptised on the 6th December 1868 in the Stamford Baron Parish Church. Cecil Frederick was born in the 1st quarter of 1893 in Leicester and was baptised on the 12th February 1893 in St. Saviour’s Church, Leicester, in March 1901 He was residing in the family home at 22, Cromer Street, Evington Road, Leicester. In April 1911 Cecil was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Sunnyside, Whetstone, Leicestershire, together with his father, an artificial stone manufacturer’s carpenter and his mother. On the 24th December 1916, Cecil married Mary Ann Charlotte Hayden in All Saint’s Church, Narborough, Leicestershire, Mary was born on the 5th March 1888 in Woolwich, Kent. In June 1929 Cecil’s widow married Arthur William Constable in the Beverley, East Yorkshire district. In 1939 Cecil’s widowed father, an old age pensioner was residing in the family home at 18, Leicester Road, Narborough.
Cecil enlisted into the Regular Army on the 2nd December 1915 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 2394. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 22 years 335 days. Marital status as single and his trade or calling as asylum attendant.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 6 inches in height, weighed 129 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Thomas Wedge of Littlethorpe, Narborough. Wife Mary Ann Charlotte Wedge, Littlethorpe, Narborough.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Attested. Leicester. 3/12/15.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 4/12/15.
Mobilized. 27/12/16.
Posted. To Household Battalion. Reserve Depot. Trooper. 28/12/16.
Embarked. Southampton. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 24/5/17.
Disembarked. Havre. 25/5/17.
Posted. To the 1st Household Battalion. 25/5/17.
Killed in action. In the Field. 4/10/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 3/12/15 – 23/5/17. 1 year 172 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 24/5/17 – 4/10/17. 134 days.
Total service. 1 year 306 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Cecil’s surviving service record amounts to a total of thirty pages, and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his military service.
The War Diary records: 4 Oct-17 – 10th Brigade were left assaulting Brigade of 4th Division. 2nd SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS assaulting Battalion. 3/10th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT in Support, 1st ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT and HOUSEHOLD Battalion in Reserve. Zero Hour 6.00 am. Attack made by 5th and 2nd Armies.
At 7.00 pm Battalion worked up to “C” area, Headquarters at IRON CROSS C.3a.8.6 where the Companies dug in for the night.
Objectives of 10th Brigade was reported taken. Lieutenant C. L. KENNAWAY and 70 Other ranks attached to 20th Brigade.
Summary of the Household Battalion for October 4th.
The Battalion (minus 5 platoons) was in Reserve at Soult Camp, 3 platoons being attached to the 9th Field Company until October 10th. During this time they made thirty two journeys from the Canal to EAGLE TRENCH.
While the other two platoons carried the whole of the rations and ammunition up to the Seaforths in the front line.
At 6.00 pm October 4th the Battalion was ordered to move to IRON CROSS AREA and moved there in Support at 11.00 pm, the men being in shell holes and digging themselves in.