T
he eldest son of Albert and Annie Playford, of Park View, Docking, he worked at Sunderland Farm, Docking, for Mr Peacock before enlisting in the regular army. He was also the brother of Reginald Arthur Playford. He was born on 1st November 1911. He was in the Royal Artillery, and was sent to France with 19 Field Regiment, as part of the British Expeditionary Force, soon after the outbreak of war in September 1939. By 25th May 1940 19 Field Regiment was in the area of Rousbrugge, Belgium, retiring towards Dunkirk for the planned evacuation of British forces back to England after the collapse of French and Belgian forces and governments. On 27th May 1940 the Regiment was in action in support of 3 Infantry Brigade at Les Meres on the Dunkirk defence perimeter. Cecil Albert Playford (Warrant Officer Class 2, 806552), who was the Battery Sergeant Major of 29/97 Field Battery, died on 28th May 1940 in the area of Hotton, which is 58 kilometres south east of Namur, in Belgium, some 100 miles east of Dunkirk; he was either unintentionally separated from his Battery or on some special task. He was 28 years old. He is buried in Hotton War Cemetery (XI.B.2)