Christopher Augustus Cox

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Christopher Augustus Cox VC (December 25, 1889 - April 28, 1959) was an English hero in the First World War. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

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He was 27 years old, and a Private in the 7th Bn., The Bedfordshire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 13 March 1917 at Achiet-le-Grand, France during an attack by the battalion, the front wave was checked by very heavy artillery and machine-gun fire and the whole line had to take shelter in shell holes to avoid annihilation. Private Cox, a stretcher-bearer, went out over fire-swept ground and, single-handed, rescued four men. Having collected the wounded of his own battalion he then helped to bring in the wounded of the adjoining battalion. On two subsequent days he carried out similar work with complete disregard of his own safety.

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He was born on 25 December 1889 and was married with one son when war was declared but still volunteered in September 1914 when Kitchener made his appeal. He went to France in July 1915 and spent nearly 2 years in the trenches first on the Somme near Albert. He was wounded on the first day of the Somme offensive. He was also at Thiepval in September 1916 and back to the Bihucourt assault in March 1917 where he won his VC. He sustained serious wounds to his foot in an attack on the village of Cherisy on 3rd May 1917 which resulted in him being sent back to England.

His family expanded to 8 children and 14 grandchildren. On 28 April 1959 he died aged 69.

His Victoria Cross is currently on display at the Imperial War Museum, London, England.

On 9 September 2007 Kings Langley Village celebrated Christopher Augustus Cox's life and daring deeds in a village ceremony. The High Street was closed to traffic to allow a marching piping band, Standard Bearers, ex service men and women, local dignities and members of the Cox family to parade from the Kings Langley Methodist Church along the High Street to The Parish Church. The Church was full. Rev Peter Stern welcomed the congregation. Various readings and Psalms, together with a detailed description of Christopher Cox's deeds was read by Rev Alex McGregor. The last post by bugle was played within the Church and by the grave. The congregation was then led back along the high street by the Piping Band and standard bearers to the community center, where short speeches were made and everyone enjoyed the hospitality of Kings Langley Parish Council, who provided a fabulous spread of food and drink. On display was a fantastic display of artifacts relating to Christopher Cox's Life.

A local woman said about Christopher "he was the only man who could come back from Passiondale and die falling from a ladder!"

[edit] References

  • Mary Hallett

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