Name
Norman Walter Cox
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/05/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
78068
Royal Garrison Artillery
143 Siege Battery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
FAUBOURG D'AMIENS CEMETERY, ARRAS
V.D.17
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Rickmansworth memorials
Pre War
Norman was born in Rickmansworth in 1896 the son of George and Rosetta (nee Hookham) Cox.
His father, George, was a General Labourer and in 1901 was living with his wife and 6 children at Drayton Ford, Mill End. By 1911 George was a Farmer at The Mill, Chalfont St Giles and Norman, age 15, was working on his farm.
At Norman’s death his parents’ address was given as Rose Villa, Three Households, Chalfont St Giles. George died in 1912. Norman left the bulk of his effects to his mother, but also a small amount to his sister in law Beatrice (nee Collins) Hookham. She was the widow of Ernest Ernest Edward Hookham who had died of wounds a little earlier on the 12th of March 1917. Ernest Hookham was the illegitimate son of Norman’s mother, born Rosetta Wingfield Hookham, and was born on the 25th of January 1880 in Chorleywood and baptised there on the 24th of March. The father was not named but may have been George Cox who Rosetta married on the 9th September 1882 in Chorleywood. In 1881 the I year old Ernest was living with Rosetta and her parents at Currants Bottom, Chorleywood Common.
In 1939 Rosetta was living with her daughter Rosetta Wilkins, her husband Charles, and their family, in Quainton Hart Lane, Amersham.
He is recorded as enlisting in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Wartime Service
Attested in Oxford 10th December 1915 age 19 years 8 months, height 5’ 9 1/2”, occupation Farmer. Appointed RGA Plymouth 20th April 1916.
Embarked Folkstone 16th August 1916 and landed Boulogne the next day. On the 2nd of December 1916 Norman received 5 days Field Punishment No 2 for insolence to a Senior NCO whilst on active service. He was wounded on the 5th of May 1917 and died in 142 Field Ambulance the same day.
The circumstances in which he was wounded have not yet been traced.
Acknowledgments
Tanya Britton, Our Village in the Great War, Mike Collins
