Soldier Record
William Cox
Contributed by: Geoff Cox, on 2008-11-10
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | William |
| Surname | Cox |
| Year of Birth | 1887 |
| Year of Death | 1916 |
| Regiment | London Regiment |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Walthamstow, Greater London |
William's Story
This is an extract from a letter to William's wife Ada from his chum A Adams, 1st RIR, A Company, BEF France explaining the events of 15 November 1916 when he was killed in action:
"I am very sorry indeed to have to tell you that Will passed away yesterday about 4.30 performing a noble duty.
He and myself were amongst a party picked out to go and get rations for the men. We had a good distance to go. On our return journey, the unfortunate occurrence happened.
We had been shelled heavily all day and it grew worse in the afternoon. Coming along the boards a shell dropped in the middle of our party, badly injuring two men.
Will and I came out safely and he remained behind and helped them with the wounded. I went on with some of the rations and reached our dug-out safely and waited anxiously for Will.
The first news I had was that he had volunteered to go and get the RAMC men and it was while returning that he and another were killed. He died doing a noble action in obtaining help for the wounded under shell fire, which seemed that nothing could live in it. It is a wonder any of us are alive for the day was terrible."
William was a milkman working for Hitchman's Dairy in Walthamstow. He had enlisted 6 June 1916 and was apparently attached to the Royal Irish Rifles at the time of his death.
Other memories
It seems that he was transferred to the RIR at about midnight on 30 October. In the "History of the Royal Irish Rifles" there is comment that they were strengthened on 31 October by 6 Officers and 425 Other Ranks. "The draft are mostly Londoners". The war diary cites deaths of 13 "Other Ranks" and one missing on 15th November. Presumably William was one of these. The RIR had apparently lost so many men that it needed to be supplement by territorials such as those from the London Regiment.
He has no known grave but his name appears on the Memorial (Bay 9/10) in the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetry in Arras which we have visited.
He has no known grave but his name appears on the Memorial (Bay 9/10) in the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetry in Arras.
It seems that he was transferred to the RIR at about midnight on 30 October. In the “History of the Royal Irish Rifles†there is comment that they were strengthened on 31 October by 6 Officers and 425 Other Ranks. “The draft are mostly Londonersâ€. The war diary cites deaths of 13 “Other Ranks†and one missing on 15th November. Presumably William was one of these. The RIR had apparently lost so many men that it needed to be supplement by territorials such as those from the London Regiment.
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