Cecil Hugh's Story.
Born on the 25th September 1877 Cecil was the sixth son of John Coutts a barrister of law and Mary Egidia Antrobus of Eaton Hall, Congleton.
He attended Charterhouse school from 1892 -1894. In 1899 he was commissioned into the Cameron Highlanders joining the 3rd Battalion, during the Boer War he served with the 1st Battalion and took part in operations in the Orange Free State February to May 1900 including actions at Vet River on the 5th and 6th May, in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including operations near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill and in the Orange River Colony November to January 190, he received the Queens Medal and five clasps. On the conclusion of the campaign he resigned his commission and went to Canada believed to be working as a mining engineer.
On the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the 5th Royal Highlanders of Canada and was given a commission as a Captain in 6th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, his old regiment.
Cecil and his battalion sailed from Folkestone on the S.S Victoria on the evening of the 9th July 1915 arriving in Boulogne around 1am on the 10th
The battalion had numerous visits to the front throughout August and then on 25th September they were in the Trenches at Philosophe, the war diary reads: Hot tea was issued to the men about 3am, at 5:50 the battalion moved slowly up towards the firing line. At 6:30am the attack started and the battalion occupied the firing trenches, parties began to dig communication trenches to the German first line. About 9:30 the battalion moved forward. The battalion remained there in action all night.
Causalities considerable in our men.
26th Battalion forced to retire owing to the flanks being exposed, about 10am. Retired to German second line trenches from which it advanced 1000 yards. This retreat and advance took place two more times, battalion very scattered and spread out, losses very great remained in the second line trenches all night.
The following entry in diary on the 27th states: battalion marched to MAZINGARBE at 5am causalities estimated at about 400 men and 17 officers. Cecil was one of these, killed in action the day after his 38th birthday.
Cecil has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial Panel 119 to 124
Cecil’s brother Charles Alexander also fell he can be found here