Cyril Bristow was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire in the summer of 1912 to William and Mary Bristow. Cyril had two older sisters, Mollie and Mildred. In 1921 the family were living at 2 Bentley Street, Stamford.

He married Elizabeth Mary Doel in Chelsea in the spring of 1934. They lived at 47 House Lane, Arlesey, Bedfordshire.

In 1940 Cyril joined the Royal Artillery. He died as the result of an accident on 8th January 1943.

Cyril rests in the churchyard extension of St. Nicholas Church, Hurst. He is also remembered on the Stamford School roll of hour and on the Arlesey war memorial in Bedfordshire.