Cyril Rochford McLaglen (1899-1987) as John Kennedy in the seldom encountered film Balaclava (Jaws of Hell) one of many films centered on the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War.

Cyril McLaglen was the younger brother of the much more famous Victor McLagen. Based on the caption on this photo there seems to have been some inconsistency in the spelling of the family name at this time. The actress pictured here with MacLaglen is probably Betty Bolton in the role of Natasha.

One of the production assistants of this film was the then 20-year old David Lean who would go on to direct some of the great epic films of all time including Lawrence of Arabia, Bridge on the River Kwai, and Doctor Zhivago.

 

During World War One 15-year-old Cyril enlisted in "D" Battery, 182nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery on 26 July 1915. Underage, he gave his birth year as 1896, apparently with his mother's consent. Enlisting while underage seems to have been something of a family tradition with two older brothers, Sydney and Victor doing so during the Anglo-Boer War. Cyril's ruse was discovered and he was discharged on 26 November 1915.

 

Never saying die, Cyril, reenlisted, this time in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) being appointed probationary flight officer on 30 September 1917. Details of his service in the RNAS are scant but he seems to have served through the end of the war and his entitlement to the British War and Victory Medals is confirmed in the rolls.


Sepia Production Still
10 inches x 8 inches (28cm x 18cm)
Gainsborough Pictures
United Kingdom
1928