Fairhead, PTE Cecil Roland

Cecil Roland Fairhead (1898-1918), farmer and soldier, was born in Pingelly to Frederick and Susanna Fairhead. His grandfather had settled in Pingelly. Cecil had at least five siblings.

Cecil got into a serious riding accident in Pingelly at the age of 14. “The lad had just mounted the horse outside the railway yards, when the animal took fright at the whistle of an engine and dashed across the road in the direction of the Pingelly Hotel. Swerving close to the verandah post, he dashed his rider into a shop corner, injuring the leg below the knee. Fairhead pluckily held on, but the horse again dashed him against the post, this time injuring the rider’s shoulder. Fairhead fell to the ground and was taken into the hotel, where Dr. Corley attended him. it was found that the left leg was severely torn, and the sinews severed.“

Cecil enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 6th of February 1917 and was posted to the 9th Reinforcements, 44th Battalion at the age of 18. His family initially refused to let him deploy overseas but eventually relented. Cecil embarked for overseas service in July 1917 but was sick with mumps and tonsillitis, resulting in 5 months of hospital treatment. He finally reached the front lines in January 1918. However, after only 21 days at the front lines, he was Killed in Action, still at the age of 18. This was because he had lied about his age by a few months.

“Enemy airplanes were active, unchallenged by allied airplanes. An enemy machine gun fired intermittent bursts into Pont Rouge and Moat Farm during the night. Several mine launchers were fired at A Company’s lines, one of which detonated in the vicinity of No. 2 Platoon’s Sector. Eighteen-year-old Private Fairhead was killed by the concussion of the exploding mine. Despite the desultory enemy shelling, Private Fairhead’s body was recovered under the direction of Corporal A.G. Stamp and carried back to the 44th Battalion lines.”

He was buried on the day of his death at Lancashire Farm Cemetery. Cecil was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Death Plaque.

SOURCES

The Daily News (29/03/1913, P. 10)

Virtual War Memorial

National Archives of Australia

Find A Grave.com