Richard Christopher Cox who gave his life at Arras in the Great War

In loving memory

Of our dear mother and father

GERTRUDE LOUISA COX

Who passed peacefully

February 12th 1940, Aged 58 years

 

Also

 

RICHARD CHRISTOPHER COX

(1st Essex Regiment)

Who gave his life at Arras in the

Great War April 13th1917

Aged 37 years

 

He giveth his beloved ????

 

COX, RICHARD CHRISTOPHER

Rank:………………………..Private

Service No:………………….29080

Date of Death:………………13/04/1917

Age:………………………….36

Regiment:……………………Essex Regiment, 1st Bn.

Panel Reference:……………Bay 7.

Memorial:…………………..ARRAS MEMORIAL

Additional Information:

Son of Christopher and Martha Cox; husband of Gertrude Louisa Cox, of Dorothy House, Beeston Rd., Sheringham, Norfolk.

CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/745813/COX,%20RICHARD...

 

Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Private 29080 Richard Christopher Cox was Killed in Action on the 13th April 1917 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment. He was born and resident Sheringham, enlisted Cromer.

 

The Medal Index Card for Private 29080 R C Cox, Essex Regiment, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/5/63037

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1980493

 

The 1917 Probate Calendar records a Richard Christopher Cox of Dorothy House, “Sherringham”, Norfolk, a Private in the 1st Essex Regiment, who died in France on the 13th April 1917. Probate was granted at the London Court on the 18th December 1917 to Robert West, Fisherman, and Walter Charles Bill and Arthur Edward Wallis, Railway Clerks. His effects were valued at £1,972 18s 4d.

probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=Cox&yea...

 

No match on Picture Norfolk.

 

Richard is remembered on the Sheringham War Memorial

www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Sheringham.html

and on the memorial in St Peter Church Sheringham.

 

1879 Birth of Richard

 

The birth of a Richard Christopher Cox was recorded in the Erpingham District of Norfolk in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1879.

 

1881 Census of England and Wales

 

The 1 year old Richard C Cox, born Sheringham, was recorded at a dwelling on Mill Road, Sheringham. This was the household of his parents, Christopher, (aged 41 and a Herring Curer from Beeston, Norfolk) and Martha, (aged 35 and from Aylmerton, Norfolk). As well as Richard their other children are:-

Dorothy S……aged 12……..born Runton, Norfolk

Mary L………aged 6……….born Sheringham

Catharine J…..aged 4……….born Sheringham

 

1882 Birth and baptism of Gertrude

 

The birth of a Gertrude Louisa West was recorded in the Erpingham District of Norfolk in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1882.

 

The baptism of a Gertrude Louisa West, no date of birth recorded, took place on the Aylsham Primitive Methodist Circuit on the 5th March 1882. Her parents were Robert, a Fisherman, and Louisa Sophia West. The family lived at Lower Sheringham.

freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/55108288e93790f8ad...

 

The baptism of her sister. “Mable Augusta G????” West, born 2nd October 1883, was also recorded on the Aylsham Primitive Methodist Circuit – this time on the 11th November 1883. Her parents were Robert, a Fisherman, and Louisa West. The family lived at “Sherringham”.

freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/55108288e93790f8ad...

 

1891 Census of England and Wales

 

The Cox family were now recorded living at Dorothy House, Hill, Lower Sheringham. Father Christopher, (50), now describes himself as a Fish Merchant. He lives at this address with wife Martha, (47), and children Louisa, (16 and a School Teacher), Kate, (14) and Richard (11).

 

There is no obvious match for the Sophy\Sophia Cox who is recorded on the later censuses.

 

The 9 year old Gertrude West, born Sheringham, was recorded at a dwelling on Station Road, Lower Sheringham. This was the household of her parents, Robert, (aged 32 and a Fisherman from Sheringham) and Louisa, (aged 28 and from Sheringham). The couple have another daughter, Mabel A, (aged 7 and born Sheringham).

 

1901 Census of England and Wales

 

The Cox family are now recorded at “Dorothy House”, Mill Lane, Sheringham, raising the prospect that they have been at the same address for the previous two censuses. Christopher (62) is a Fish Merchant working from home, living with Martha, (55), Louisa, (26 and an Assistant School Mistress), Richard, (21, Fish Merchant) and Sophy, (aged 16 and born Sheringham, shown as the daughter of Christopher and Martha).

 

The West family were recorded living at “Edinburgh House”, Mill Lane, Sheringham. Father Robert, (42), was still a Fisherman. Mother Louisa, (38), is now recorded with a birthplace of Trimingham. Still living with them are daughters Gertrude L, (19) and Mabel A., (17, Dressmaker).

 

1905 – Marriage

 

The marriage of a Richard Christopher Cox to a Gertrude Louisa West was recorded in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1905 in the Erpingham District of Norfolk.

 

1905 – Norfolk Register of Electors

 

A Richard Christopher Cox was entitled to vote in County and Parish Elections as a result of having a Land and Shed at Beeston Road, Sheringham.

1905 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMW-9QK

 

1906 – Birth and Baptism of of Mabel Ena Cox

 

The baptism of a Mabel Ena Cox, born 4th June 1906, took place at the United Methodists Chapel, Sheringham, on the 1st July 1906. Parents were Richard and Gertrude Cox. The family lived then at Edinburgh House, Sheringham.

freereg2.freereg.org.uk/search_records/551097ffe937907206...

 

1906, 1907, 1908 and 1909 – Norfolk Register of Electors

 

A Richard Christopher Cox of Dorothy House, Sheringham was entitled to vote in Parliamentary and Parish Elections as a result of having Freehold of a house at New Street, Sheringham. He was also entitled to vote in County and Parish Electors as a result of having a Land and Shed at Beeston Road, Sheringham.

1906 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H1Q-LCK

1906 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H1Q-LY6

1907 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HYL-PM2

1907 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HYL-PGH

1908 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CM4-RPF

1908 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CM4-T6M

1909 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H1P-HNL

1909 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H1P-CH1

 

1909 – Birth of Ida Louisa Cox

 

The birth of an Ida Louisa Cox was recorded in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1909 in the Erpingham District of Norfolk.

 

The East Anglian Ancestors site advises that Ida married a Cecil Lincoln and died in 1999.

eastanglianancestors.co.uk/fam8398.html

By that time the published General Registrars Office Index of Deaths for England and Wales also include the date of birth. The Ida Louisa Lincoln whose death was recorded in the Norwich District in Q1, 1999 was born the 6th June 1909.

 

1910 and 1911 – Norfolk Register of Electors

 

A Richard Christopher Cox of Dorothy House, Sheringham was entitled to vote in Parliamentary and Parish Elections as a result of having Freehold of a house at New Street, Sheringham. He was also entitled to vote in County and Parish Electors as a result of having a Land and Shed at Beeston Road, Sheringham.

1910 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMH-N2S

1910 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMH-JZQ

1911 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CM2-58C

 

1911 Census of England and Wales

 

The 30 year old Richard Cox, a Fish Hawker from Sheringham, was recorded as the married head of the household at Criss Cottage, Beeston Road, Sheringham. He lives there with his wife of 5 years, Gertrude, (aged 29 and from Sheringham) and their two children Ena, (aged 4) and Ida, (aged 1) – both born Sheringham.

 

His widowed mother Martha, (66 and now shown as born West Runton) and sister Sophia, (27), were still living at Dorothy House.

 

Post August 1911 it became compulsory when registering the birth of a child in England and Wales to also record the mothers maiden name. A search of the General Registrars Office Index of Births for England and Wales 1911 – 2006 produces many matches for the combination of births registered with the surname Cox, mothers maiden name West throughout this period, but one from early on stands out – the birth of a Gertrude M Cox whose birth was registered in the Erpingham District in the April to June quarter of 1912.

 

This is confirmed by this family history site, which shows Gertrude May, born c1912 as the third child of Richard and Gertrude. It also shows she married a Bernard J Gilbert and died in 1999.

eastanglianancestors.co.uk/fam8398.html

 

By that time the published General Registrars Office Index of Deaths for England and Wales also include the date of birth. The Gertrude May Gilbert whose death was recorded in the North Walsham District in Q4, 1999 was born the 2nd May 1912.

 

1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915 – Norfolk Register of Electors

 

A Richard Christopher Cox of Criss Cross Cottage, Sheringham was entitled to vote in Parliamentary and Parish Elections as a result of having Freehold of a house at New Street, Sheringham. He was also entitled to vote in County and Parish Electors as a result of being the householder of a Dwelling House at Criss Cross Cottage, Beeston Road, Sheringham.

1912 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HBW-YY3

1912 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HBW-BX1

1913 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMX-WT6

1913 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMX-4J2

1914 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMF-NJ2

1914 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2CMF-JD8

1915 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H17-XZ8

1915 Source: familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H17-X14

 

1917 – Death of Richard

 

I suspect the 13th was the last day he was seen alive.

 

Thu., Apr 12, 1917

 

The Bn. marched from billets at FOSSEUX to ARRAS (abt 10 miles) and on arrival was at once ordered to proceed with the remainder of the 88th Bde to relieve the 37th Bde near MONCHY-LE-PREUX. The Bn arrived at ARRAS at 3pm and left to carry out the relief 4 miles off at 6.30pm. Owing to intense congestion on the road and other delays the relief was not completed until 3am on 13th.

 

Prior to leaving ARRAS orders had been issued for an attack on the German line in company with the 1st NFLD to be made on the 13th at an hour to be notified later.

The attack was to be made from an Assembly trench which was to be dug on the night of the 12/13 by 2nd Hants, 4th Worcs were in support to the attack.

Owing to the late hour at which the Brigade relief was completed & consequent impossibility of making adequate preparation for the attack the operation was postponed.

 

At daylight therefore on the 13th the Brigade was situated as shown in the attached map.

At 11am orders were received to make the attack at 2pm. These orders also were cancelled a few minutes before Zero.

 

During the night 13/14 the 2nd Hants dug the required assembly trench and operation orders were issued to the Bn. by Lt. Col. Halaham. App. B.

 

At 5.30am on 14th the barrage fell and the battalion left the trench & carried out the assault.

In spite of a certain weakness of the barrage the objective was gained and by 6.30am all companies had reported that they were busy digging in.

 

In the mean time "X" Coy detailed to form a flank guard to the thence attacking Coys had at once come in contact with the enemy.

 

Therefore acting under Capt. Foster's orders No. 5 Platoon got into shell holes at about 0 1b 8.1 and opened fire. No. 8 Platoon being checked by machine gun fire from ARROW COPSE No 7 was directed to outflank this copse with the result that No 8 could again get forward , capturing the 2 machine guns & driving the enemy out of the copse. The small wood at O 2a 7.5 was also in hostile occupation but was cleared by Lewis Guns & Rifle Grenades. The Company then moved forward to the N. end of the copses where all platoons came under fire from a line of hidden machine guns. The company now began to form the chain of strong points as detailed in operation orders.

 

From this point no further definitive news could be gathered as to the fate of this company. A few men eventually rejoined the battalion & from their statements it is certain that all Platoons their proper positions where they were at once attacked by very superior German forces & were finally overwhelmed in these positions at a time between 6.30 and 7.30 am.

 

The main attack by the remaining 3 Coys having reached their objective by 6.30 am started to dig in and reports were sent back to Bn. Hqrs that large forces of the enemy could be seen in the BOIS du SART & the BOIS des AUBE PINES and that all covering parties were sent forward were at once coming under heavy machine gun & rifle fire.

 

It became apparent rapidly to the Coy commanders that an immediate counter attack was being prepared and this also was reported to Bn. Hqrs. These reports were confirmed by two Coy commanders in person returning wounded from the main attack. [Capt Tomlinson Capt Caroline]

 

Steps had already been taken to get the Artillery on to the points where the enemy was reported to be massing but owing to the destruction of the wires by shell fire it was an hour before the guns opened fire.

 

By 7.30am the counter attack had fully developed in all its strength of at least 9 battalions. The weight of the attack seems to have come from the N. East & thus fell on "X" Coy. This Coy in spite of a stout resistance was gradually overwhelmed. Vide app. C.

 

From 7.30 onwards no reports, messages or wounded men arrived at Bn Hqrs or the Aid Post it is therefore apparent that "X" Coy having been overrun the hostile forces got between MONCHY & the attacking Companies of the Essex & NLFD. No men have returned from these Companies.

As soon as it became clear that MONCHY itself was being attacked patrols were put out from Hqr party to hold street barricades in MONCHY. No German succeeded in entering MONCHY. It must be remembered that during all this time the town was under an intense enemy barrage thus rendering it almost impossible to reinforce or support the two Battalions & making the work of the respective Hqrs parties extremely arduous.

 

Except for a certain amount of support from the 4th Worcester & 2dn Hants they fought on alone & these two battalions broke up a German attack designed not to drive them back but to retake MONCHY itself.

 

Appendix C. contains a copy of the Special Order issued by the G.O.C. 88th Bde.

Of the Officers who went into action the following is killed : 2/Lt. L. Cousins.

The following are wounded :- Capts R.E.G. Caroline, J. Tomlinson, Lieuts ?.W.J. Taylor

R. Eastwood. 2/Lt's H. Ockendon, S. ?. Andrew, F.W. Barker.

The following are missing :- Capt H.J.B. Foster, Lt C.R. Brown, 2/Lts A.L. Piper, S.N.R. Eyre, C.H. Feline H.R. Newth, P.W. Coombs, L.F. Portway; G.W. Turk.

Total casualties 17 officers & 644 OR. out of a strength of 31 officers & 892 O.R.

 

Sun., Apr 15, 1917

The remnants of the Battalion were now withdrawn & went to billets in ARRAS.

 

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=594...

 

1940 – Death of Gertrude

 

The death of a Gertrude L Cox, aged 58, was recorded in the Bury St Edmunds District of Suffolk in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1940.

 

The 1940 Probate Calendar records that a Gertrude Louisa Cox of Trelyon, Barford Road, Sheringham, widow, died at 75 Horringer Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk on the 12th February 1940. Probate was granted at the Norwich Court on the 11th July 1940 to Mabel Ena Grice, single woman, (had she divorced her husband?), Ida Louisa Lincoln, (wife of Cecil Lincoln), and Gertrude May Gilbert, (wife of Bernard James Gilbert). Effects were originally valued at £7,713 14s 2d, but this was subsequently re-sworn as £8,188 14s 2d.

probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=Cox&yea...

 

Done