Charles Enos Cox

Charles Enos was the eldest son of William Mark Cox and his wife Bertha Adelaide (née Seamarks). Both his parents were born in Stevington, Bedfordshire; his father in 1872 and his mother in 1874. They were married at Stevington parish church in March 1892 and had six sons: Charles Enos b. Stevington 1892, Frederick Mark b. Beeston Nottingham 1895, William James b. Beeston birth registered 1898 (J/F/M) and Sydney George b. 1899, Thomas Harold b. 1901 and Arthur Edward b. 1908 who were born in Lowdham. In 1901, William, a railway signalman, and his wife were living in Reeks Yard, Plough Lane, Lowdham, together with their four sons, Charles, Frederick, William and Sydney. Thomas was born later that year. The family was still living in Lowdham in 1911 but only five of William and Bertha's sons were still living at home: Frederick a nursery gardener, William who was also employed at a nursery, Sydney, Thomas, and Arthur. Charles, a baker and confectioner, was living with an uncle, Walter Ernest Cox, a farm groom, and his wife in Stevington. Charles later returned to Nottinghamshire and worked for the Midland Railway Company as a railway porter. Charles (22), a lance corporal in the 8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, married Florence Oliver (21) at Bleasby St Mary on 24 October 1914. Their two witnesses were Florence's brother Albert Edwin, and her mother, Fanny Oliver. Charles and Florence's son, Ernest Charles Cox, was born in Bleasby in April 1915. His wife Florence probably continued to live with her parents, Joseph and Fanny Oliver, in Bleasby after her marriage and she and her son were living in the village with her parents in 1921. Her brother Harold Oliver was killed in action in 1918 (see 'Extra information'). Florence completed a form for the army in July 1919 listing her husband's surviving blood relatives. She and her son were living at Swiss Cottage, Bleasby. William and Bertha were living on Main Street, Lowdham, with their sons Frederick, Sydney, Harold and Arthur while William was living in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. William, a retired railway signalman, and Bertha were still living in Lowdham in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Bertha died on 29 April 1941 and her husband on 16 November 1965. The probate record gave William's home address as The Leys, Epperstone Road, Lowdham, but he died at the General Hospital Annexe at Ruddington Hall. Two of his sons, William and Arthur, were awarded probate.

1911 - baker and confectioner. Before the war he was a railway porter (Midland Railway Company). Served in the Territorial Force (Sherwood Foresters) before the war.

Enlisted Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire.

1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). The Battalion was a Territorial Force battalion formed at Newark under the 1908 reorganisation of the Territorial Force. Charles Enos enlisted at Newark-on-Trent on 7 August 1914 aged 22 and 2 months, occupation railway porter (Midland Railway Company). He had previously served with the 8th Battalion in the Territorial Force on a four year engagement which had expired earlier that year. According to his service record, Charles served with BEF France from 2 March 1915 although the battalion had landed in France the previous month (25 February). He was promoted acting corporal on 28 April 1915 and to sergeant on 24 August 1915. Charles was killed in action on 14 October 1915 when a trench collapsed after it was hit - by shells according to newspaper reports but probably from bombing. The Battalion saw heavy fighting on the Hohenzollern Redoubt that month (attack 13th/14th) and a history of the Battalion described conditions on the 14th: 'October 14th seemed a never-ending day for those in the Redoubt. Fortunately in a way, the lines were too close together for us to be shelled, but bombing went on almost uninterruptedly and our casualties mounted rapidly.' (Captain WCC Weetman MC CdG) The Battalion expected to be relieved that night but was not relieved until the following morning. Three officers and 25 other ranks, including Charles, died on 14 October, although others may have died later from wounds. Charles has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. A memorial service for him was held at Lowdham St Mary on 31 October 1915. Service: Home 7 August 1915-1 March 1915 (207d). France 2 March 1915-14 October 1915. Total 1 year 69 days. He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Loos Memorial (extract): The Loos Memorial is sited in Dud Corner Cemetery. 'Dud Corner Cemetery stands almost on the site of a German strong point, the Lens Road Redoubt, captured by the 15th (Scottish) Division on the first day of the battle [Loos]. The name "Dud Corner" is believed to be due to the large number of unexploded enemy shells found in the neighbourhood after the Armistice. The Loos Memorial commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay, from the first day of the Battle of Loos [25 September 1915] to the end of the war.' (www.cwgc.org)

Harold Oliver, Charles' brother-in-law, served with the 2/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (268349 Private) and was killed in action on 21 March 1918. Arras Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Mrs. W. M. Cox, of Lowdham, Nottingham; husband of Florence Cox, of Bleasby, Nottingham.' Family headstone, Lowdham St Mary churchyard: 'In loving memory of Frederick Mark Cox, who died July 3rd 1928 aged 33 years. Also of Sergt. Charles E Cox killed in action Octr. 14th 1915 aged 23 years. Thy will be done. Also of Bertha Adelaide Cox, mother of the above, died April 29th 1941 aged 66 years. Also William Mark Cox, beloved husband of above, died Nov. 16th 1965, aged 93 years. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour,’ 27 October 1915: ‘Cox. Killed in action, on October 14th, Serg. CE Cox, 1/8th Sherwood Foresters, aged 23 years, the devoted husband of Florence Cox, Bleasby. He sleeps not in his native land, but under foreign skies, and far from those who love him best, and in a hero’s grave he lies. We do not know what pain he had, we did not see him die, we only know he passed away without a last ‘goodbye.’ From his broken hearted wife and dearly loved baby. Memorial service at Lowdham Church, October 31st, 10.45.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Newark Advertiser, 27 October 1915 (photograph): ‘Sergeant Charles Cox. Notification has been received in Newark of the death in action of Sergt. Charles Cox of the 8th Sherwood Foresters. The deceased soldier, who was married and 23 years of age, was prior to the war an employee of the Midland Railway Company and was well known at Newark, Collingham, Rolleston, Swinderby, and other stations on the MR between Nottingham and Lincoln. He was married 12 months ago last Saturday and leaves a widow and child to mourn their loss. The gallant soldier had served in the Territorials for four years prior to the war, and finished his period of service before their last August camp. When they returned to Newark on that notable August day a year and a half ago, when war broke out, he went and immediately rejoined his old comrateds, His father is a signalman at Lowdham, and his widow a native of Bleasby.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Newark Herald, 30 October 1915: 'Son of Mrs W.M. Cox, Lowdham. Resided with wife Florence (nee Oliver) and one child in Bleasby. Prior to the war was an employee of the Midland Railway and was well known at Newark, Collingham, Rolleston, Swinderby and other stations on the Nottingham-Lincoln line. A strong supporter of National Service and although he had completed his term of service, he immediately re-joined the colours. Given opportunity to join the ASC in his original trade of baker, but opted to rejoin his old company. A trench was blown in by a shell, eleven men being buried, eight of whom were rescued. The remaining three, including Sgt. Cox, who was badly wounded in the head and legs, being killed.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Newark Herald, 30 October 1915 (photograph): ‘Sergt. C Cox, Lowdham. Another death has unfortunately to be recorded from the Lowdham district of a member of the 8th Sherwoods, information having been received that Sergeant C Cox was killed in action on the 14th. The deceased was a strong supporter of National Service, and although on the outbreak of war he had completed his term of service, he immediately rejoined the Colours. Opportunity was given him to join the Army Service Corps in his original trade as a baker, but he preferred to rejoin his old company under the command of his esteemed officer, Major Becher. [DOW 1 January 1916] According to letters received from his late comrades, a trench was blown in by a shell, eleven men being buried, eight of whom were rescued, the remaining three, including the deceased soldier, who was badly wounded in the head and legs, being killed.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Florence Cox was his sole legatee. Florence Cox was awarded a pension of 18 shillings a week for herself and her child, first payment 29 May 1916. (War Office letter dated 21 May 1916)