GRANT Cecil Henry Bell

   Service number 3398

ORIGINAL NAME PLATE C.1929

On the 10^thSeptember 1919 Cecil’s mother wrote a letter requesting Cecil’s return to help on the orchard. Cecil was already on board the ship “Euripides” having left England on the 7^th September and expected to arrive in Australia the second last week of October. Returned to Australia on the 20^th October 1919. Discharged on the 19^thNovember 1919.

Cecil returned from the war and lived in Beaconsfield, his occupation was an Orchardist.

Died on the 10^thAugust 1979 at Heidelberg, Victoria. Cremated on the 14^thAugust 1979 at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. Cecil was an avid writer as a child. The following story was printed in the Children’s Column, The Bathurst Times, Saturday 11^thNovember 1911.

Toomuc Valley

“I would like to tell you a little about Toomuc Valley. It is about six miles from Pakenham Station, which is on the Gippsland line in Victoria. The Toomuc Valley Creek runs winding in and out with maidenhair fern growing along its banks under the trees. All around are high hills where live plenty of kangaroos and wallabies. There are a good many orchards but the Toomuc Valley Orchard is the largest. At the entrance of this orchard the creek has been widened out to form an artificial lake. In the lake are one or two islands and a few little bridges, here and there add to the scene.

Cecil Grant – Upper third; 13 years”

Name	GRANT, Cecil Henry Bell
Service Number	3398
Rank	Private
Roll	57 Infantry Battalion 6-9 Reinforcements (October 1916-June 1917)
Conflict	First World War 1914-1918
Embarked	21stJune 1917
City	Melbourne
Ship	HMAT Suevic A29
Age	18 years
Birth Place	1898, Armadale, Victoria
Father	William Grant, “Edgecombe”, Beaconsfield, Victoria
Mother	Bessie Daniel (Windsor) Grant
Religion	Presbyterian
Occupation	Orchardist
Residence	Beaconsfield, Victoria
Enlisted	9thOctober 1916
Height	5 feet, 7 inches
Complexion	Fair; Eyes- Hazel; Hair- Fair