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Pfc Cecil Roberts was a truck driver employed by the Acme Coal Co. and Stoker Service before he enlisted on 26 June 1942.

Pfc Roberts was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in France on 8 November 1944. The citation reads in part: "On 8 November 1944, Pfc Roberts, runner for a mortar section, observed an enemy force of thirty men and eight machine guns approaching the rear of his company. He voluntarily moved forward up a small draw in an attempt to destroy them with hand grenades. After throwing the hand grenade he was observed by the enemy and subjected to heavy small arms and machine gun fire. With determination and endeavoring to get a more advantageous position to throw another grenade, Pfc Roberts moved forward, firing his carbine to pin the enemy down. When at close proximity he threw a second grenade, causing confusion and casualties among the enemy and permitting his mortar section to deploy to positions where they could fire on the enemy. Pfc Roberts was so exposed to enemy fire by this act that he lost his life."

He died as result of injuries caused by artillery shell fragments in the thorax.