Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born 24 December 1897 at Brompton Park, South Australia.
(SA Birth records 1842 - 1906 Book: 614 Page: 80 District: Hin.)

Father Charles Plenty and Mother Bertha Jane (nee RHODES)
living at Eight Street, Bowden, South Australia.

Previous service:
4 years Senior Cadets - 77th Battalion
8 months transferred to Citizens Forces - 77th Infantry (still serving on enlistment)

Described on enlisting as 18 years 4 months old; single; 5' 4 1/2" tall; 128 lbs;
medium complexion;  hazel eyes; dark brown hair; Church of England

3/4/1916            Enlisted in Adelaide, South Australia

28/4/1916          Commanding Officer appointed Cecil to 43rd Infantry Battalion
                         Morphettville Camp

9/6/1916            Embarked from Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide on board HMAT Afric A19
                          as a Private with the 11th Infantry Brigade, 43rd Infantry Battalion
                          in D Company

After landing briefly in Egypt, the 43rd Battalion went on to Britain for further training.

25/11/1916         proceeded overseas to France

The battalion arrived on the Western Front in late December.

The 43rd Battalion spent 1917 bogged in bloody trench warfare in Flanders.

7-14/6/1917        the battalion took part in the battle of Messines.

31/7/1917           Cecil acted as a runner in the Messines attack

In October the 43rd Battalion took part in the Third Battle of Ypres.

12/1/1918           sick - to hospital
                           admitted to 11th Australian Field Ambulance

4/3/1915             discharged to duty from 39th General Hospital, Havre, France

26/12/1917         to Paris - on leave
11/1/1918           rejoined unit

4/3/1918             sick to hospital
21/4/1918           rejoined unit

29/5/1918           wounded in action, remained on duty

31/5-1/6/1918     East of Villers-Brettonneux, France
                          he was a member of party which raided the enemy trenches
                          He personally carried out his Officer, who was twice wounded,
                          to his own lines, from the enemy trenches, under very heavy
                          machine gun and rifle fire;  and twice later in the night he guided
                          patrols in NO MANS LAND, while in their search for wounded
                          and dead.

He was recommended for the Military Medal.

21/10/1918        Awarded MILITARY MEDAL - promulgated in the London Gazette.

27/11-11/12/18  on leave in France

14/12/1918        rejoined unit in France
 

20/5/1919          Returned to Australia on board the Nestor

14/8/1919          Discharged from service in AIF

Medals:
Military Medal; British War medal (13644); Victory medal (13448)

13/7/1960          Cecil passed away
buried in:           Hindmarsh Cemetery, South Australia

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  6/4/2015.  Lest we forget.

Military Medal

'On the night of the 31st May, 1918, east of AMIENS, 1st June, 1918, east of VILLERS BRETONNEUX, this man was a member of a party which raided the enemy trenches. On entering the trench the enemy were found in strength and a hand to hand fight took place. Private PLENTY fought with great gallantry and bravery, thus materially assisting his party in their withdrawal to our lines from a difficult position. He personally carried his Officer who was twice wounded subsequently to our one lines under very heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and twice later during the night he guided patrols in No Man's Land while in their search for wounded and dead. Throughout the whole period his actions were characterised by conspicuous gallantry and the utmost devotion to duty and he set an excellent example to his comrades.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919