Cecil started his military career in the SA army with the Engineers Corps in Cullinan, Pretoria. Thereafter he was taken in by the SAAF and did his ground instruction course in Pretoria. The elementary flight training was done at Wonderboom with Tiger Moth aircraft. Advanced flying with Hawker Harts and -Hinds was done at Kimberley where after Cecil was commissioned as officer of the SAAF and he received his wings.

Cecil at the Army Engineers training base, Cullinan.


Ground instruction school

Same photograph showing students who failed tot become pilots and students who later were KIA

Typical SAAF Tiger Moth trainer

Hawker Hart

Hawker Hind

Picture taken after wings ceremony.