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Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland

Died on this date – 7th February.... Private Charles Frederick Cox was born at Cobram, Victoria, Australia in 1889. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 25th January, 1916 as a 27 year old, Single, Petrol Mechanic from Perth, Western Australia. Charles Cox stated on his Attestation Papers that he had previously been rejected from serving for His Majesty’s Service due to his teeth.

Private Charles Frederick Cox embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on HMAT Suevic (A29) on 6th June, 1916 with the 44th Infantry Battalion “C” Company & disembarked at Plymouth, England on 21st July, 1916 where he was to received further training before being sent to the War Front.
Private Charles Frederick Cox was transferred to 31st Battalion on 4th November, 1916. He proceeded overseas via Folkestone on 11th November, 1916 per S.S. Golden Eye from 8th Training Battalion at Codford, Wiltshire to reinforce 31st Battalion.
Private Cox proceeded to 3rd Army Sniping School on 9th July, 1917 & returned to his Battalion on 22nd July, 1917.

The Army Corps Commander expressed appreciation of gallant services rendered during recent operations (no date recorded). This advice was also sent to Private Charles Frederick Cox’s mother – Mrs A. Cox, of Wanneroo Road, North Perth, Western Australia.
Private Charles Frederick Cox was mentioned in Despatches for Operations between 26th & 28th September, 1917. “At POLYGON WOOD on 26/28th September, 1917, whilst the consolidation of the final objective was in progress, a Mills grenade was struck by a pick with the result that the fuze became ignited, The trench was crowded and realising that prompt measures were necessary this soldier, after hurriedly shouting a warning to the others, seized the bomb and hurled it away. By this action six or more of his comrades were undoubtedly saved from serious injuries.”

Private Cox was sent to UK on leave from 9th January, 1918 & returned from leave on 24th January, 1918.
Private was detached to 5th Division Canteen on 17th May, 1918. He was reported still detached with 5th Division Canteen on 13th December, 1918.
Private Charles Frederick Cox was admitted to 8th Australian Field Ambulance on 5th January, 1919 with Delusional Insanity. Private Cox was transferred to England on 13th January, 1919 on Hospital Ship Grantully Castle & was admitted to Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley on 14th January, 1919.

Private Cox was transferred on 17th January, 1919 to The Lord Derby Hospital, Warrington, Lancashire, England in a Mental Stupor. The Hospital admission form states he was suffering from Manic Depressive Insanity. Private Cox was reported as seriously ill on 1st February, 1919 at The Lord Derby Hospital, Warrington.

A Medical Report was completed on Private Charles Frederick Cox on 1st February, 1919 at The Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington. Private Cox was described as suffering from Manic Depressive Insanity which had originated on 3rd January, 1919 in France. The Medical Report attributed the disability to stress of campaign as a soldier. The Medical Board recommended repatriation to Australia dated 4th February, 1919.

Private Charles Frederick Cox died at 14.20 hrs on 7th February, 1919 at The Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington, Lancashire, England from Mental Stupor and Broncho pneumonia. The Hospital Admissions form states “Died from Septic Pneumonia following oral sepsis. He had (to) be tube fed.”

Private Charles Frederick Cox was buried in Warrington Cemetery (Manchester Road), Warrington, Cheshire, England where 7 other WW1 Australian Soldiers & an Australian Munition Worker are buried.