Clarence was born in 1896 (birth registered O/N/D Basford) the son of Arthur Cox and his second wife, Abeth Julia Cox nee Cave.
Arthur married first Louisa Benns in 1882 (marriage registered A/M/J Colchester, Essex). Louisa was the daughter of William and Louisa Benns and was born in 1862 in Woodbridge, Suffolk, and baptised at St Mary's Woodbridge on 23 May 1862. They had three children: Violet Louisa (b. 1887, christened 28 June 1887 Nottingham St Peter), Arthur Douglas (b. 26 January 1890, christened 20 May 1890 Nottingham St Peter) and Edward Leslie (b.3 January 1893, christened Nottingham St Peter 30 March 1893).
In 1891 Arthur (33), a wine merchant, and Louisa (28) were living in Clare Valley, off Standard Hill, Nottingham, with their two children, Violet Louisa and Arthur Douglas. Also in the household on the night of the census was Louisa Benns (55), Arthur's mother-in-law. Arthur and Louisa employed a housemaid, Polly Patchett (16).
A third son, Edward Leslie, was born two years later in January 1893. Sadly, Louisa died the same year aged 30 (death registered 1893 J/F/M Nottingham).
Two years later on 5 December 1895 Arthur married Abeth Julia Cave at Christ Church, Southgate, Enfield, Middlesex. Abeth was 21 years old (birth registered 1871 J/F/M Edmonton Middlesex).
In 1901 Arthur and Abeth were living at Portland House, 113 Portland Road, Nottingham. Arthur was now described as a wine merchant and hotel proprietor. There were only three children in the household on the night of the census, Violet (13), Edward Leslie (8) and Clarence (4) but it is possible that Arthur Douglas, who would have been about 11 years old, was away at school. Arthur and Abeth employed three female domestic servants.
Arthur Cox died on 20 June 1906. Probate was awarded to Abeth and to Harry Archer Cave hotel manager and William Henry Blackburn hosiery manufacturer. According to the Probate record Arthur was a veterinary surgeon.
Arthur's widow married John Joseph Cridlan (b. abt 1853) in 1911 (marriage registered J/F/M Bingham). John Cridlan was an agriculturist who owned Maisemore Park, Gloucester, which became Abeth's family home. Abeth had at least one child by John Cridlan, Frank John Cridlan (birth registered 1914 J/F/M Gloucester). John Cridlan died aged 85 on 22 December 1938 and was buried at Great Malvern, Worcestershire.
Abeth, her husband John Cridlan, her son Clarence and stepsons Arthur and Edward have not yet been traced on the 1911 Census.
However, Abeth's stepdaughter, Violet Cox, had married Francis Crawford Williamson in 1908 (marriage registered O/N/D Lincoln) and in 1911 was living in Chapel St Leonards, Lincolnshire, with Francis (34, b. 12 October 1876) and their two sons Harold Calvert (1, baptised 17 November 1909 Ingoldmells Lincolnshire) and Robert Douglas (birth registered 1901 J/F/M Spilsby, Lincolnshire). They were two have two more children, William Aldous (birth registered 1914 J/F/M Spilsby) and Mary Crawford (birth registered 1915 O/N/D Spilsby).
Francis Williamson served with the Northumberland Fusiliers (52514 Private) in the war (previously 27567 8th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment); he qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. He died aged 56 in 1931 (death registered March Louth). Violet died on 7 December 1936 aged 49.
Arthur Douglas emigrated to Canada and became a farmer. He served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the Great War (regimental number 276540), attesting in September 1916. He gave his next of kin as his brother, Edward Leslie Cox who was also living in Canada.
Edward Leslie, now a hosiery manufacturer, attested on 14 September 1914 at the age of 21. He was posted to the Royal Fusiliers (2518) on 7 October 1914 but was discharged on 3 January 1915 as 'not likely to become an efficient soldier on medical grounds' ('disordered action of heart and attacks of syncope'). He had named his sister, Violet Williamson, of Cosy Cottage, Chapel [St Leonard] near Alford, Lincolnshire, as his next of kin. Edward emigrated to Canada shortly afterwards and became a farmer. He attested in April 1917 giving his address as the YMCA, Regina, Saskatchewan, and declared that he had spent four months in the Royal Fusiliers. He was considered fit to serve in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (regimental number 1069665). Edward again named his sister Violet as his next of kin. He was also to serve in the Second World War(private) but died in the Saskatchewan Mental Hospital on 2 July 1942; he was buried in North Battleford Municipal Cemetery, Saskatchewan.
Abeth Cridlan died on 25 January 1957; she was then living in Hampstead, London.