Cecil CONDON
Per his initial military service record (regimental no. 2163A), Cecil Condon was born at Blayney, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 19 years and 5 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as horsebreaker. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was 5 feet 9 ½ inches tall, weight 10 stone 7 lbs., with a dark complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Methodist. He claimed to have no previous military service.
He signed an initial Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form, and undertook a preliminary medical examination, at Bathurst on 28th October 1915 (the day the Coo-ees marched from Bathampton to Bathurst). His mother sent a telegram giving her consent on 29th October 1915. He was attested by Captain A. C. Eade at Bathurst on 29th October 1915 (the day the Coo-ees marched from Bathurst to Yetholme). He did not complete his medical examination until 13th November 1915 at Liverpool.
After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 6th Light Horse Regiment.
He was charged with being absent from parade on 9th & 10th February 1916, and forfeited 2 days pay, and was fined 10 shillings.
The Bathurst Times reported on 11th February 1916 that a farewell held for Trooper Condon had been held at the Blayney Masonic Hall, and that after being presented with a gold medal, and a wristlet watch, and a pair of knitted socks, he responded that ‘he was not a gifted speaker, but he hoped to do some good fighting when he reached the front’.[2]
On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Hill Street, Blayney, N.S.W., and his next of kin was listed as his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Yeo, at the same address.[3]
On 22nd March 1916 Trooper Condon (along with fellow Coo-ees Trooper Kennedy and Trooper Sullivan) departed Sydney on the HMAT A4 Pera, with the 15th reinforcements for the 6th Light Horse Regiment.
After arriving at Suez in Egypt, Trooper Condon marched into the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Tel-el-Kebir on 22nd April 1916.
On 6th July 1916 he was taken on strength of the 2nd Light Horse Double Squadron at Serapeum, Egypt.
On 19th September 1916 Trooper Condon was admitted to the 3rd Field Ambulance suffering from Diarrhoea. He was discharged from hospital and returned to his unit on 22nd September 1916.
On 2nd November 1916 Trooper Condon was transferred to the 4th Australian Camel Regiment at Abbassia, Egypt.
On 7th February 1917 he was transferred to the 18th Company Imperial Camel Corps from the 4th Australian Camel Regiment.
On 13th April 1917 Trooper Condon was detached to the School of Cookery on a course at Ismailia. He re-joined his unit on 29th April 1917.
Trooper Condon was sent to a rest camp at Port Said on 9th March 1918. He re-joined his unit on 8th April 1918.
On 10th June 1918 Trooper Condon was sent to the School of Instruction at Zietoun.
On 6th July 1918 Trooper Condon returned to his unit from the School of Instruction, and was transferred to the 14th Light Horse Regiment.
Trooper Condon was sent to a rest camp at Port Said on 16th December 1918. He re-joined his unit on 4th April 1919.
Trooper Condon departed Suez, Egypt, aboard the H.T. Dongala on 24th July 1919, commencing his return to Australia.
He arrived in Australia on 28th August 1919.
He was discharged termination of period of enlistment on 21st October 1919.
[1] NAA B2455, CONDON C
[2] WESTERN NEWS (1916, February 11). The Bathurst Times (NSW : 1909 – 1925), p. 3. Retrieved April 8, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109937968
[3] Australia War Memorial. First World War Embarkation Roll, Cecil Condon, HMAT Pera A4, 22nd March 1916.
1915 Coo-ee March 