Cecil Oversby SAYER

BOND OF SACRIFICE: VOL. 2. A Biographical Record of British Officers who Fell in the Great War

LIEUTENANT CECIL OVERSBY SAYER, 7th BATTN. (TERRIT.) THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY, born at Kirkby Stephen on the 13th November, 1884, was the eldest son of John and Elizabeth Sayer, High Street, Kirkby Stephen. He was one of five brothers serving with the colours.

He had a brilliant career at Appleby Grammar School, and went to Queen’s College, Oxford, with the Hastings, Gunson, and Westmorland Major Exhibitions. He afterwards obtained an important appointment as Mathematical Lecturer at Sunderland Training College, and while there he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in June, 1913. He was an excellent player both at football and cricket, and was an enthusiastic bellringer, and instructed the band at Sunderland Parish Church.

On the outbreak of the Great War Mr. Sayer undertook Imperial Service obligations and in October, 1914, was promoted Lieutenant, proceeding to the front early in 1915. Lieutenant Sayer took part in the severe engagement near Ypres on the 24th May, 1915, and was three times wounded, one of his injuries being a fractured thigh. After lying in a trench for two days he was taken prisoner by the Germans. He wrote home on the 28th May, saying he soon expected to be moved to Germany, but unhappily his wounds proved to be very serious and he died in hospital at Courtrai on the 7th June, 1915. He was buried at Courtrai.

A brother officer wrote of him: “Poor Mr. Sayer’s death was a great loss to the Battalion in general. He was admittedly one of our most capable officers, trusted by the Col. and all ranks, and really loved by those who knew him intimately. He proved his worth at Ypres when we lost our Adjt., Capt. Berne. He then became the Col.’s right-hand man, even though he was not well at the time.”

Lieutenant Sayer married Ethel, daughter of Mr. Thos. H. Edwards, of Dudley, and left a daughter, Sybil Eleanor, born in February, 1914.

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966

1915

SAYER Cecil Oversby of Hartley Kirkby Stephen Westmorland lieutenant in the 7th Durham Light Infantry died 7 June 1915 at Courtrai in Belgium Administration Carlisle 27 September to Ethel Caroline Sayer widow. Effects £493 9s.