Other Information:Cecil was educated at St Stephen’s Green School and Dublin University, and qualified M.D., M.B., B.Ch., B.O.A. in 1905 and L.M. in 1906. He played rugby in the position of Full Back for the TCD club & Wanderers, where he achieved Ireland Cap, No 269, and Irish Caps - 3 V’s S: 1900, 01; W: 1901. He played for the Barbarians and was B & 1 Lion in SA in 1896 (1 test), and also toured Canada with an Irish team in 1899. Cecil gained a temporary commission within the RAMC and entered the war in France in December 1914, he was promoted to t.Captain one year later, and then served as acting Major from the 3rd February 1918. Cecil was awarded the Military Cross “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He repeatedly attended to wounded under heavy shell fire, and on several occasions was compelled to evacuate his aid post, succeeding each time in removing all his wounded, often across country, and by his fine judgement and tireless energy saving a large number from falling into the enemy’s hands. His conduct throughout was excellent, the conditions being exceptionally hazardous and trying.” He relinquished his commission t.Capt on the 11th December 1918 but retained the rank of Major. [Information sources: Willow Murray, Hon Archivist of the Irish Rugby Football Union, The 1918 Army List and The London Gazette (Photograph kindly provided by Willow Murray)].
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