Cecil John Shepherd
(1840-1911)

Volume 5, page 183, sitting 6224.

Born at Trosley in Kent in 1840, Cecil John Shepherd was the son of the Reverend Edward John Shepherd, the Rector of Luddesdown in Kent (and also the Rector of Trottiscliffe in the same county).

He briefly attended Trinity College, Cambridge in 1859 but later that year he joined the militia as an Ensign in the Queen's Royal Antrim Rifle Regiment. He joined the 60th Regiment (by purchase) as an Ensign on 19 September 1860. He was promoted Lieutenant (by purchase) on 4 November 1864. He exchanged to the 1st Dragoon Guards in September 1866. In December 1868 he was promoted Captain, again by purchase. He retired from the 1st Dragoon Guards with the rank of Captain on 24 November 1869. 

At the time of the 1891 census he was living with his brother Matthias Egerton Shepherd at Trottiscliffe Rectory in Kent, with their brother Charles William Shepherd, a 'Clerk in Holy Orders.' Matthias and Cecil were still living there in 1901 and 1911. 

Captain Cecil John Shepherd died, aged 71, on 18 July 1911. According to his obituary in the Army and Navy Gazette (29 July 1911) 'Capt. Cecil John Shepherd, formerly of the 1st Dragoon Guards, died on the 18th inst. at Trottiscliffe Rectory, Kent, aged 71. Capt. Shepherd obtained his commission as Ensign in the 60th Rifles Sept. 19, 1860, and was promoted Lieutenant Nov. 4, 1864. Transferring to the 1st Dragoon Guards two or three years later, he became Captain Dec. 3, 1868, and retired in 1870.'