Tags
Arthur Cox, Brickkiln Croft, Edwin Cox, Frank Cox, George Cox, Graisley Street, Harry Cox, John Cox, North Staffordshire Regiment, Royal Field Artillery, South Staffordshire Regiment, Stafford, Walter Cox
An article in the Express & Star on 9 January 1915 stated that a Mr Cox, of 4 house, 1 court, Brickkiln Croft, Wolverhampton, was proud that six of his sons were serving in the Army:
- George, in the 2nd South Staffords
- Harry, 1st North Staffords
- Arthur, Royal Field Artillery
- John, Kitchener’s Army
- Edwin, Territorials
- Frank, Kitchener’s Army
He himself had served in the old 2nd Staffords for 8 years and in the Volunteers for a similar period and stated that, despite being 63 years old, he was still willing to serve if called up.
The Cox family, born in Stafford, were living at 6 Busbys Buildings, Stafford, in 1901. Parents George and Louisa were joined by sons George (born 1882 and a shoe laster), Harry (born 1884 and a shoe finisher), John (born 1885 and a shoe finisher), Edwin (born 1887), Arthur (born 1889), Walter (born 1891) and Frank (born 1895). By 1911, George and Louisa had moved to Wolverhampton, at 10 Graisley Street, but they only had Walter and Frank still living with them. Walter was a locksmith and Frank was an errand boy for a grocer.
The son, George, was a shoemaker, boarding at the home of John Ray in 12 Fancy Walk, Stafford. George enlisted at Lichfield with the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 6443). He disembarked on 30 August 1914, but was killed in action on 6 August 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
In around 1907, Harry appears to have married Florence Launchbury, although I have not been able to confirm details of their marriage. They had two children, Harry Thomas and Clara Louisa. By 1911, he was living with his father-in-law Thomas Launchbury at 53 Spon Lane, West Smethwick. Harry was a labourer. He enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 6708), becoming a Lance Corporal. He disembarked on 10 September 1914. He later transferred to the Lincolnshire Regiment (number 20205). He appears to have survived the war, but I have been unable to confirm further details about him.
In 1911, Edwin was working as a mental nurse at Coton Hill Asylum in Stafford. I have not been able to confirm further details about him.
By 1911, Arthur was a boarder in the home of Edward Litton at 11 Fancy Walk, Stafford, next-door to his brother, George. Arthur was a labourer in Stubbs salt works. In January 1912, Arthur enlisted in the 6th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment (number 851), before transferring to the 6th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery. He was re-engaged on 20 June 1917 (number 676931), by which date his trade was given as “shoemaker”. He served in France and India. He had a sprained ankle in May 1917, and suffered from trench nephritis in April 1918, but he survived the war. He was disembodied on 15 January 1920.
Walter married Beatrice Holliday in Wolverhampton in 1916. He does not appear to have served in the Army, but I have not been able to confirm further details about him.
I have not been able to confirm further details of the whereabouts of John or Frank Cox.
