A LUCKY NIGHT
Cecil Rault - 58th Battalion

Cecil Rault had only just celebrated his 21st birthday when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915. Having been born in Guernsey , England he had emigrated to Australia to find work as a farm labourer, his next of kin, his step-mother, was still living in Guernsey at the time of his enlistment.

Departing Australia in November 1915 as a member of the 22nd battalion, he arrived in the Middle East and was promptly sent to hospital suffering from a hernia. Once this was cleared he transferred to the 58th battalion, proceeding to duties at the Ferry Post.

In June he sailed for France onboard the Transylvania and moved with his battalion to the area around Fromelles. On the 19th of July the 58th battalion were decimated after being sent forward into no-man's-land to support a British attack that never eventuated.

Luckily Cecil made it through this harrowing night without major injury but no doubt due to the casualties suffered by the 15th brigade on that night soon found himself transferred to the 15th machine gun company.

In November 1916 his health flared up again and he was sent to England , again suffering from a Hernia. To compound this he was also diagnosed with Tonsilitis and it wasn't until July that he was able to return to France .

He then served with the battalion until late 1918, just before the Peronne offensive, when he returned to the UK sick, ultimately being medically discharged in early 1919 after going absent without leave. He was returned to Australian in mid 1919.

Cecil married Agnes Emma Wilson in 1921, but appears to have emigrated back to the UK in the 30s.

Photos:

1) Cecil Rault.

2) Group shot taken in camp in Victoria (AWM DAODS00267)