Cecil Arnold Brittain was born at Ballarat and became a Printer by trade. He was a single lad and at age 20 enlisted for action abroad on the 18th August 1914 in Melbourne,Victoria. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A3 Orvieto on 21 October 1914. He joined the Military Expeditionary Force on the Gallipoli Campaign at Alexandria 5/4/15. On the 17/3/16 he returned to Australia aboard the H.S. Ascanius at Portland in Victoria. He rejoined his unit, 15th Battalion in the field, attached to 2nd "F" Company Engineers as Military District. He was wounded in action in France 6/10/17 receiving a Gun Shot Wound to the shoulder and thigh and was admitted to the 17th Casualty Clearing Station.

The very next day he received a shrapnel wound to the left shoulder and right thigh at Etaples near Boulogne on the north-west coast of France. He was transferred to England because the wounds were severe on 11/10/17. Private Brittain was attached as medical detail to the 2nd Field Company Engineers. During the operations east of near Molenaarelsthoek on 4th October 1917 a party of sappers was caught in an intense barrage. He remained behind dressing wounded under heavy fire and did not leave them until they were safely sent to the Dressing Station. He then followed up his party and although wounded persisted in carrying on until ordered to withdraw. He set an admirable example to all ranks. He was awarded a Military Medal for his outstanding duty. He returned to Australia 12 May 1918.
Tree No. 168.