Cecil Tisson

PRIVATE CECIL TISSON
d. 29th June 1944 aged 29

Cecil Tisson was born in St Helier 18th December 1914, his parents were Charles William and Gertrude Florence Tisson, both from St Helier. His parents married on New Year’s Day 1913.

By 1915 the family was living in London, Cecil’s father is listed as a Trunk Maker, in WW1 he served in the Royal Army Service Corps as a Driver until he was demobbed in 1919. In 1921, the family was living in Pimlico, his father was working as a carpenter at The Palace Hotel in Bloomsbury and there is a younger child, Constance Fortune.

By 1939, Cecil is working as a Painter's Labourer in Southampton.

At some point after this, a link is made with the Crilley family in Luddenden, but how this link was made is a mystery.

The Crilley's were originally from Liverpool. The 1921 Census, shows them living on Tarbock Street, Margaret's Mother is listed as a Widow and has five children living with her. By 1939 the family is living in Luddenden at 15 Halifax Lane.

Cecil married Margaret Crilley in 1942 in the Halifax area.

John Crilley who became Cecil's brother-in-law was a Royal Marine Commando. He was Killed in Action in Burma in 1945.

Cecil was in the 7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment and took part in the D Day landings. The 1st Battalion landed on D Day, the 7th Battalion were in reserve and landed on 22nd June. The Regiment landed on Gold Beach at Manvieux near Arromanches.

The War diaries follow the regiments advance through France towards Caen, but there are no mention of casualties in the diary. The diaries are a fascinating insight into the detail of the planning that went into the D Day landings and are well worth having a look at.

We do know that Cecil was killed in action on 29th June 1944 aged 29 years as the Regiment pushed towards the strategic Town of Caen.

He is buried a Hottot les Bauges War Cemetery which is about 10 miles outside of Bayeux.

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References:
1921 Census. RG15/511/5/2/44
1939 England and Wales Voters Register. County of Southampton/99-2/ECNF/schedule 263
Civil Marriage Registration. 1942/Q3/9a/1078