S7562
COX, Darcy James
| Service Number: | 69 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 August 1914, Morphettville, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Regimental Sergeant Major |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Clarendon, 21 October 1899 |
| Home Town: | Clarendon, Onkaparinga, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Semaphore, City of Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia, Australia, 6 June 1977, aged 77 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Cherry Gardens WW1 Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 24 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 69, Morphettville, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Oct 1914: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 69, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Oct 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Sergeant, 69, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Port Lincoln, Adelaide | |
| 9 May 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 69, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 23 Feb 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Regimental Sergeant Major, 69, 3rd Light Horse Regiment |
Help us honour Darcy James Cox's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Darcy James Cox was a 24 year old Farmer when he enlisted in August 1914. He served with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment at Gallipoli for 7 months from May 1915. The 3rd Light Horse then fought in Egypt, Sinai, Palestine and Jordan in the battles of Romani, Gaza, and the fall of Jerusalem and Jerico. The 3rd Light Horse took part in the famous Charge of the Light Horse at Beersheba. Darcy served for 4 ½ years and arrived back in Australia in February 1919.
https://www.cherrychatter.org.au/Fallen%20Heroes%20of%20Cherry%20Gardens.pdf
Biography contributed by Cooper Cook
Darcy James Cox was born on October 21, 1899, in the small town of Clarendon, Onkaparinga. Prior to the war Cox worked as a farmer.
On the 24/8/1914, a young 24 year old Cox enlisted for the AIF in Adelaide with the service number of 69, one of the first Australians to enlist. Cox’s nominated next of kin was his father, James Bishop Cox.He joined the war as the rank of a Sergeant, part of the 3rd Light Horse Regiment. He embarked on the HMAT Port Lincoln 22nd October 1914.
In May 1915, the 3rd Light Horse Regiment landed in Gallipoli, where they fought, dismounted, in the ANZAC sector as horses were not suitable for the terrain. They were involved in many battles until they were evacuated along with the rest of the ANZACs later in December. The Australian returned to Egypt to regroup and train. The 3rd Light Horse remained in the Middle East.
On July 7, 1916, Cox was sent to the 31st General Hospital in Port Said due to contracting tonsillitis. 17 days later, he returned to duty in supporting the battle of Romani at the beginning of the Sinai and Palestine campaign. He would have been back with his regiment by July 25 and as the battle was on August 4 and 5 1916, involved in this important battle which resulted in preventing the Ottomon threat to the Suez canal, an important waterway providing a shorter sea route connecting Europe. During this battle, the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, including Cox, played a crucial role in flanking the Ottoman Empire.
Other battles of the Sinai and Palestine campaign that Cox and his regiment were involved with are as follows; In the battle of Magdhaba (December 1916), Cox was part of a coordinated assault on entrenched positions, resulting in a massive victory. In the Battle of Rafa (January 1917), Cox participated in the battle and attack on the fortified positions, resulting in another significant victory. His regiment was also involved in the first and second battles of Gaza (March – April 1917), although both unsuccessful, they played an important role. In June 1917 he was transferred to the 1st Light Horse Regiment. He completed courses at the School of Instruction in Zeitoun and rejoined the 1st Light Horse 16th Septmeber 1917. He was hospitalised the same day with an infection. After treatment he was transferred back to the 3rd Light Horse 18th January 1918. While on the journey home he became ill with influenza and was hospitalised at sea for a day.
Cox returned to Australia, disembarking 25th December 1918 and was later discharged from the AIF on the 23rd of February 1919, recorded as a Sergeant Major of the 3rd Light Horse Regiment.
Three years later, on January 8, 1921, records indicate that Cox married Aimee Kathleen Vickery in Gawler, SA. Cox lived out the rest of his life in South Australia until dying 6 June 1977. Cox is buried in Enfield Cemetery, Adelaide.
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