Cyril was born on 9 February 1916 in Chorlton, Lancashire to Max and Rebecca nee Abrahams. Cyril was the youngest child with three older sisters.

Cyril joined the RAF as an aircraftman in 1935 working as an engine fitter. He married Kathleen Leary in 1939 in Grantham. The 1939 Register states that they were living at Meadowcroft, Bridge End Road, Grantham.

Cyril was an engine fitter (2E) and was under training to become a flight engineer/air gunner. He was on board Catalina AH 559 which took off from Pembroke Dock on an operational flight at 04.38 hours on 22 February 1942. The aircraft crashed soon after take off at approx 04.45 hours near the mouth of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, UK. The area was searched but no trace of the aircraft or the eleven crew were found.

Pilot, Flt Lt, C J Norton
2nd Pilot, FO J E Ramshaw
3rd Pilot, K L Blackham, RAAF
Obs, Flt Sgt C H Atkinson
Obs, Sgt E J Hartley
W/Op A/G, Sgt F Ashworth
W/Op A/G, Flt Sgt M C Daniel
W/Op A/G, E Talbot
F/E, Sgt F Cross
AC1 J E Gardner (FMA under training, F/E AG)
Cpl Hacker, C (Fitter 2E under training, F/E AG)