▶Date of birth: 1891    Place of birth: Deanwood House Stables, Pittville Circus Road

▶Father: Leonard Henry Cox    Mother: Margaret Jane Ray Barrow

▶Spouse(s):    Date(s) of marriage:    Place(s) of marriage:

▶Occupation:

▶Lifestory:  Christened at All Saints Church, 28 June 1891.

Leonard joined the Norfolk Regiment as No. 7537 at Gloucester giving a home address in Barnwood, Gloucester, but was transferred to the Essex Regiment and was killed during the advance in Flanders in September 1918. Throughout August 1918, the 2nd Essex were engaged in pursuing the retreating German forces. On 22 August the battalion marched to Westrehem, then to Nedonchelle and Berguette, where they entrained for Wavrans, and from there they marched to Pierremont and Frevin-Capelle and finally to an assembly area east of Arras. For a day or two the battalion was in the old British front-line system before relieving the 1st Hampshires in Eterpigny on 31 August. Owing to the exceedingly marshy nature of the ground and the dangers of movement in daylight the relief took 24 hours and only one Company of the battalion was in position by nightfall. It is probable that Private Cox was killed by random German shelling whilst moving up to the front. There is a photograph in The Graphic of 28 September 1918 of Private Cox with his three brothers who were also involved in the war.

(From Leaving All That Was Dear by Joe Devereaux & Graham Saker)

▶Moved to Pittville from:     Moved from Pittville to: Barnwood, Gloucester

▶Date of death: 1 September 1918    Place of death: France

▶Date of burial: September 1918      Place of burial: Dury Crucifix Cemetery, France. Plot II, Row K, Grave 27

▶Notes: After Leonard was killed his mother received at flat rate pension of 5/-.   ID:

Contributor(s): David Drinkwater