Name
Percy Horace Cox
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/04/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Leading Cooks Mate
M/10666
Royal Navy
H.M.S. "North Star."
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL
29
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Abbots Langley Village Memorial, St. Lawrence Church Memorial, Abbots Langley
Biography
Percy Cox was born in the winter of 1884 at Tanners Hill, Abbots Langley. His father, George Cox was employed as an Attendant at the Asylum. He married Annie Ashby in the spring of 1902 at Watford, and lived at “The Cottage” in Popes Road, Abbots Langley. Percy ran a baker’s shop in the High Street, close to the Abbots House. His bakery was situated in Marlin Square. In September 1906, a report in the Watford Observer stated that “Mr P.H.Cox, Baker of Abbots Langley village, a young, enterprising tradesman, has just gained a prize in excellence for his Hovis bread at the Bakers & Confectioners Exhibition in London”. By the time of the 1911 Census the couple had three children. The 1911 Census recorded the family living at 37 Adrian Road, Abbots Langley, but noted that the husband (Percy) was abroad. It is uncertain why Percy was abroad. A Percy Cox was listed in the 1912 Kelly’s Directory as a Baker and Confectioner in Abbots Langley, and it was most likely that this was the same man..
The National Roll of the Great War, compiled after the War, recorded that Percy Cox volunteered in November 1914, and he was listed in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in December 1914 serving with the Royal Navy. The National Roll continued to note that Percy was posted to HMS “North Star” and was engaged in patrol duties in the North Sea, the Mediterranean and other seas. Later in the War HMS “North Star” was attached to the Dover Patrol – a Royal Navy unit tasked with preventing German submarines entering the English Channel.
Early on the morning of 23rd April 1918 HMS “North Star” took part in a raid to block the entrance to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, in an attempt to prevent German U-boats leaving the harbour. HMS “North Star” lost its way in the smoke of the action, and was sunk by German shore batteries. HMS “Phoebe” picked up the survivors, but 21 of the crew were lost, their bodies were never recovered. Percy Cox was one of these.
An obituary appeared in the 11th May 1918 edition of the Hertfordshire Advertiser – “Seaman Percy Cox, A.B., was killed in action on the Zeebrugge coast, the boat upon which he served being blown to pieces. Seaman Cox was home on leave the week previous and appeared in his usual health and spirits. He leaves a widow and large family, for whom the deepest sympathy is felt”.
In June 1918 the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine reported - “No fewer than five names have been added during the month. Percy Horace Cox was one of the gallant volunteers for the Naval raid upon Zeebrugge upon St George's Day, and gave his life in the accomplishment of that most successful action. He has done service throughout the war in the most perilous and trying circumstances in mine-layers, and latterly on the Destroyer "North Star", but, whenever he came home, he was full of enthusiasm and high spirits, and his death was characteristic of his life. He leaves a wife and six children to mourn his loss, and with whom we all sincerely mourn”.
At the time of his death Percy’s wife and family lived at “The Cottage”, Popes Road Abbots Langley. Twin daughters were born on 6th October 1918, six months after Percy was killed in action. Two of his brothers in law, Thomas and Lewis Ashby were both killed in action, however, a third, Walter Henry Ashby survived. Percy Cox was commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, and the Abbots Langley War Memorial.
Additional Information
Memorial
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
