On 10th April we remembered Morton man, Cecil Cox who was killed 100 years ago this day in 1918.
Cecil Cox was born in Stainfield, Lincolnshire in c 1898.
His birth was registered in Bourne in the March quarter of 1898 indicating a birth between January and March of that year.
Cecil was the fifth child of Albert Edward Cox a Cottager from Stainfield and his wife Fanny Wilson.
Cecil’s father, Albert, was born in Dunsby c1864. He married fanny Wilson in 1886, she was born in Morton c1865. This marriage was registered in the Bourne District but it is likely that this could have taken place in Morton.
The children of Albert and Fanny are:
Albert c1889,
Emily Alice c1892,
Burton c1890
Sarah c1892
Cecil 1898 (WW1; 10th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment)
Mabel A 1898
Percy 1902
On the 1911 census Cecil Cox was living in Morton aged 13 with his mother, twin sister and younger brother.
Cecil is next mentioned in a clipping from the Grantham Journal from 12th April 1919 in the “In Memoriam” section from his Mother, Sisters and Brothers.
The Soldiers Died in the Great War records show Cecil’s place of residence as Bourne Lincolnshire.
Other comments on the CWGC records show that Cecil was the Son of Mrs Fanny Cox, of School House, Morton, Bourne, Lincolnshire.
Military History
Cecil’s war office records are yet to be uncovered and may be part of the records that were destroyed by fire in the Blitz.
The medal rolls do not show Cecil as eligible for a 1915 Star so we must assume that he did not serve abroad before 1816.
Cecil Cox was killed in action on 10 April 1918.
The trenches to the south of Armentieres were heavily defended by the 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment during the morning of the 10th April. By 3.15pm the forward trenches had been captured by the enemy and Brigade had called a general retirement.
Parts of the 10th Battalion covered the rear guard of this retirement and held the enemy off until 7pm. It is generally recognised that the actions that day allowed a retirement with relatively little loss.
It was also noted that on the 10th April, B Company of the 10th Battalion received a draft of ninety-seven 19 year olds making it the strongest company in the Battalion; “these lads fought splendidly” noted the battalion’s diary.
On the day he died Cecil Cox would have only just turned 20. It is not known if Cecil was one of these this draft or if he had been with the Battalion for some time. More research is required.
From the Commonwealth War Graves Commission we know that Cecil was serving in the 10th Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment, when he was killed on 10th April 1918
Memorial
Private Cecil Cox 28430, 10th Battalion The Lincolnshire Regiment, is remembered with honour at the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.
Ref: Panel 3.
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