Cyril Robert Wightman Mountain: Sunday 5th August 1917
Cyril was a Sergeant in the Dulwich College Cadet Corps. In April 1915 he got a temporary commission in the Cheshire Regiment and was sent to France a year later. He was invalided home after an accident to his knee at Vimy but he rejoined his Battalion in January 1917 and was second in command of his Company at Ploegsteert in Belgium.
He became a temporary Captain with 13th Batt. in June 1917, and was involved in the fighting for the Messines Ridge, after which he was chosen to represent his Battalion at a Review by the Duke of Connaught. On 31 July he took part in the Ypres Attack starting at Zillebeke (Belgium). On 5 August, aged 21, he was killed at Westhoek in the fight for Polygon Wood.
He was buried near Hooge but the grave cannot have survived as he is now commemorated on the Menin Gate.
He is also remembered on the Dulwich College Roll of Honour, which includes a photo of him in military uniform, and commemorated on the College memorial.
Cyril was born on 15 June 1896. His parents, Frank Brightman and Minnie Clara, lived at 8 Ravenslea Road. In 1911 Frank listed his occupation as a printer/stationer. They had been married 19 years and had 3 children Dorothy (16), Cyril (14) and Stanley (12). Frank’s widowed father in law was also living with the family and they had 2 live in servants. Cyril went to Dulwich College from 1910-15. He was a rugby player and played in the first and second 15s.
