CYRIL DE CLARE YELD
April 1881 – 24th October 1918
Cyril de Clare Yeld, was born in Sunderland in April 1881. He was the eldest son of Richard, who
was born in Sutton Coldfield and Emily, who was born in Darlington. Co.Durham
The 1881 census shows that Emily was living in Bishop Wearmouth, Durham while Richard was
visiting Cookham, Berkshire, and was described as an Accountant. In the 1891 census the family
have now moved to Tongwynlais: Richard was not at home, but I have researched his Master’s
Certificate with the Merchant Navy, so assume he was away at sea. Cyril has two brothers, Gilbert
and Douglas and a sister, Marguerite.
Cyril’s father, Richard, died in Cardiff in early 1896 and later that year his sister Marguerite, died
age 9. By the time of the 1901 census Cyril, his mother and two brothers were living at 4, Station
Road, Penarth. Cyril was 19 and a school teacher and also a member of Penarth Rugby Club. He
was a well-known cricketer, captain of the Penarth West Tennis Club and a member of this church.
By 1911 they had moved to 31 Cwrt-y-vil Road, Penarth and Cyril had a new employment as an
Accounts Clerk with the Taff Vale Railway. Gilbert had sailed for Canada. In1910 and Douglas
went to Australia in 1909. In May 1914 Cyril sailed to Penang – 1st class on P&O ship “Nile”
Cyril had relinquished his appointment with the Taff Vale Railway to take up an appointment under
the Federated Malay Government Railway. At the outbreak of war he joined the Federated Malay
States Volunteer Reserve and rose to the rank of Company Sergeant Major. Amongst the things he
did while in India, he trained and won the Officer’s Shield, completing a four mile march and a
practice on the range at 600yards in 53 minutes 40 seconds, scoring 76 centrals, 34 hits to the lower
band and 21 hits to the upper band; the competition created a great deal of interest and the winners
were considered to have set up a wonderful record.