Name
Harold Henry Cox
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/05/1917
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
47528
Royal Fusiliers *1
7th (City of London) Bn. (Extra Reserve) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
Plot XVIII, Row M, Grave 21A.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance, Bushey Memorial, Clay Hill, St James' Church Memorial, Watford Fields
Pre War
Harold was born 1888 in Bushey, and baptised 29 July 1888 at St James’, Bushey. Son of Henry Thomas Cox and his wife, Priscilla Emma (nee McCabe) of Bushey, Herts. Harold Henry Cox was one of eleven children.
His parents married 1877 in the St Pancras, London, district. Priscilla died 1924 in Bushey aged 67, and was buried 2 February at St James’, Bushey; Henry died 20 March 1935 in Watford aged 82, and was buried 23 March, also at St James.
His father had come to Bushey from Islington in the early 1880s to be Herkomer’s fine art printer. He later founded H T Cox and Sons, Fine Art Printers, in Melbourne Road. Four of the children went into the business, which survived until 1970.
On the 1891 Census, aged 2 he lived in Bushey, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 12 he still lived in Bushey, with his parents and nine siblings.
Harold initially lived with his parents at ‘Lace Cottage’ in the High Street near Melbourne Road. He attended Watford Boys’ Grammar School and, like his father, became a fine art printer.
On the 1911 Census, an apprentice fine art printer aged 22, he still lived in Bushey, with his parents and seven siblings.
Wartime Service
When war broke out Harold enlisted at Wood Green as Private 47528 with the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) and served with the 7th Battalion on the Western Front. He died on 14 May 1917, aged 28, and was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, near Bologne in northern France.
Mr and Mrs Cox later moved to ‘Ensor’, 64 High Street, Bushey.
Harold is commemorated on the Bushey Memorial, at St James’ Parish Church and on the family grave in St James’ churchyard.
The news of his death in France was published in The Watford Observer:
"Private Harold Henry Cox, Royal Fusiliers, son of Mr & Mrs Cox of ‘Solon’, Bushey, who was wounded in France on 23 April, passed away at a military hospital. He was a fine art printer by profession. He had been in the army for about two years. His death was caused by a gunshot wound in the shoulder. Mr and Mrs Cox were only informed on Sunday of their son’s serious condition and they were invited to travel to France to see him. Mr Cox went over on Monday but when he arrived his son was already dead and buried. Private Cox was a native of Bushey, 28 years of age, and besides being a member of the Conservative Club, was an enthusiastic supporter of the Bushey Cricket team."
A memorial notice was also published:
“In loving memory of Harold H Cox, son of Mr H T Cox,
of ‘Solon’, Bushey (wounded in action in France), who died 14 May 1917, aged 28 years.
Rest well, brave heart, by stream and hill.
Where many a hero’s grave grows green,
You live in hearts that love you still,
You live with Christ in realms unseen.”
Watford Observer:
In 2007, on the 90th anniversary of Harold Henry Cox’s death, some of his closest relations met to lay a wreath in his memory at the War Memorial in Bushey after the Remembrance Day service at Bushey Parish Church.
He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, was wounded in action 23 April and died of the wounds.
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads: “COX, HAROLD HENRY. School period: January to December, 1901. Private, 18th Royal Fusiliers. Wounded 23rd April, died 14th May, 1917.”
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Harold in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 19 May 1917; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 11 May 1918 and 17 May 1919. Unfortunately, Harold’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
*1 Probably more correctly (City of London) Bn. London Regiment.
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
