Charles Enos Cox

Charles was the son of William Mark and Bertha Adelaide Cox. The 1901 census shows the family living in Lowdham. William was a railway signalman. Charles was the eldest of six sons; one son, Frederick Mark, died on 3 July 1928 aged 33. The 1911 census shows his parents still living in Lowdham but Charles was living with his uncle and aunt, Walter and Florence Cox, at Silver Street, Stevington, Bedfordshire. On October 24th, 1914, Charles, then 22, married Florence Oliver of Bleasby, who was a 21 year old dressmaker. The wedding took place at St Marys Church, Bleasby. Florence is the younger sister of Harold Oliver, who served and was killed, and whose name appears on the Bleasby War Memorial. Charles and Florence had a son, Ernest Charles Cox, born in Bleasby on 5th April, 1915. Charles was killed in action 6 moths later. Charles' mother, Bertha Adelaide, died age 66 on 29 April 1941 and his father, William Mark, age 93 years, on 16 November 1965.' Following his death his widow received a letter from the War Office dated 21st May 1916 , stating she would receive a pension of 18 shillings a week for herself and her children , commencing 29th May 1916.

Charles is shown as being a baker and confectioner 1911. On his son's birth certificate in 1915 he is shown as being a railway porter.

He enlisted at Newark-on-Trent on 7th August 1914, he gave his age as 22 yrs and 2 months, his occupation was that of a railway porter working for the Midland Railway Company, he stated he had previously served in the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters but has resigned. . Charles's medal record shows that he was deployed in Flanders on 25th February, 1915. He was killed in action on 14th October 1915, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He was awarded the 1914 - 15 Star Victory and Britsh War medals

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. Article published on 30th October 1915 in the Newark Herald :- 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.