Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Quick Costin, a general practitioner, born 1840 in Newtown Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire and his wife Susannah Clara Costin (nee Richardson, married on the 15th June 1864 in the Oundle, Northamptonshire district), born 1845 in Oundle, Northamptonshire. Cecil Frank Quick was born in the 2nd quarter of 1880 in Market Harborough, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 30th June 1880 in the Parish Church, Market Harborough, his siblings were, Ethel Mary, a schoolgirl, born in the 1st quarter of 1869, Frances Beatrice, a schoolgirl, born in the 1st quarter of 1871, Adeline Blanche, a schoolgirl, born in the 3rd quarter of 1873, Charles Clement Quick, a schoolboy, born on the 10th February 1875 and Alice Mabel, born in the 2nd quarter of1877, all his siblings were born in Market Harborough, in April 1881 the family home was at High Street, Market Harborough. In April 1891 Cecil was residing in the family home at High Street, Market Harborough, together with his father, a surgeon, his mother and siblings, Clara Gertrude, born in the 4th quarter of 1867 in Market Harborough, Ethel, Frances and Alice. In March 1901 Cecil was employed as an articled solicitors clerk and was residing in the family home at 38, High Street, Market Harborough, together with his father, a surgeon, his mother and siblings, Clara, Ethel, Frances, Adeline and Alice. In April 1911 Cecil was employed as a wholesale fruit salesman and was residing in the family home at 3, Warwick Street, Nottingham, together with his wife Louisa Costin (nee Newton, married in the 4th quarter of 1904 in the Nottingham district), born on the 17th June 1882 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire and their children, Sybil Mary, born on the 28th February 1906 and John Quick, born on the 18th December 1909, both children were born in Old Lenton, Nottinghamshire. Cecil’s widow married John Henry Blayney on the 22nd January 1918 in Nottingham, they resided at 109, Ilkeston Road, Nottingham.
Cecil also had the following siblings, Horace Robert Quick, born in the 1st quarter of 1865 and died in the 2nd quarter of 1866, Frederick Robert John, born and died in 2nd quarter of 1866, Florence Maud, born and died in the 2nd quarter of 1870, all the siblings were born in Market Harborough.
Cecil’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he was serving as a Lance Corporal with the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers with the service number of 16554. He first entered the theatre of war in the Mediterranean on the 10th July 1915, and he landed with his Battalion on the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 7th August 1915, and was on this date killed in action. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial to the Missing, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal.
His widow Louisa was awarded a weekly Army Pension for herself and their two children of eighteen shillings and six pence to commence on the 6th March, 1916, this was increased to twenty two shillings and eleven pence on the 4th April, 1917.
The War Diary records: 6 Aug-15 – KEPHALOS CAMP. Battalion embarked on two destroyers at 4.00pm and left for SUVLA BAY, GALLIPOLI PENINSULA at 7.30pm, arriving at 11.30pm. Enemy opened shrapnel and rifle fire, disembarked at 3.30am under fire. Adjutant wounded. Battalion took part in attack on Turkish trenches which was successful. Fighting continuous until 7.00am, 7.8.15. Commanding Officer wounded and 3 other officers.
The War Diary records: 7 Aug-15. SUVLA BAY. Remained on beach, Major WILLIAMS took over command.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS 5th to 7th AUGUST 1915
On August 5th, 1915 the Battalion moved up towards Suvla Bay on two torpedo boat destroyers. Tea was partaken of on board and later rum was issued. Every man on board who was going to land was wearing two large armbands, one upon each arm, and on the back a white tin disc, more commonly known as a “twinkler.” The idea of the armbands was that the landing was to be attempted at night and in the event of success, anyone who was not wearing armbands was to be treated as an enemy. The “twinkler” was to assist the navy and gunners to locate the extreme position of the landing troops. The landing was completed at 4.30am August 6th, 1915 after little resistance by the enemy. The chief troubles were snipers and land mines. One of the lighters grounded and the troops on board had to reach land by means of a small boat along a tow line and wading for about 50 yards to the shore. The general direction was towards Chocolate Hill. This was eventually captured. “W” Company was detached to the left towards the Karacol Dagh to assist the 5th Dorset Regiment, and also to act as a covering party in case of a retirement on that flank. About 8.00am the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel C. E. Fishbourne was severely wounded in the chest. Major E. E. Williams, D.S.O., assumed command and Lieutenant H. I. Powell became adjutant as Captain A. P. Garnier was wounded during the transfer of the troops from the destroyer to the lighters on the night of the 5th August. On August 7th 1915 the Battalion was re-organised on the beach, “W” Company joining up during the afternoon.
On Tuesday September 7th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Intimation has been received that Mr. FRANK COSTIN, the younger son of Dr. and Mrs. Costin, of High Street, Market Harborough, has been killed in action at the Dardanelles. He leaves a widow and two young children.
The Wellingborough School Magazine carried a small obituary for Cecil Costin: “He came to the School in September 1894, and during his school life he did very well both in work and games. He passed the Junior Cambridge Examination in 1895 and 1896 and obtained his 2nd XI cricket colours in 1896 and 1897 and was captain in the latter year. He was a really good fast bowler for his size. He joined the Northumberland Fusiliers and attained the rank of Lance-Corporal. He was killed at Sulva Bay”.