Private Ben Cecil was born in Tazewell, Virginia on July 4, 1896. His mother was Mattie Cecil and his wife, Letha or Lettie Cecil. Private Cecil quite school at the age of 15 year at the fourth grade. He worked as a servant. Private Cecil enlisted in the Army in September 1913. Private Cecil was sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labor. His sentences was reduced to 22 years and three months.