Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alexander Bevis Cox was 23 years and 1 month old, born in Adelaide, South Australia during 1892, to a family whose religion was the Church of England. Although his marital status stated he was initially single, his enlistment papers were later changed to show that he had a wife by the name of Theresa Evelyn Cox, who lived in 94 Parade, Norwood, South Australia. Before his years of embarkation, he worked as a printer and had a house in 66 Parade, Norwood, South Australia -  now a shop. His appearance was tall (5 feet ‘12’ inches), medium complexion with brown hair and brown eyes, chest measurement of 32-34 ½ inches, and weight - 126 lbs or 57 kgs. (2018. National Archives of Australia. [ONLINE] Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3435641. [Accessed 28 March 2018]).

Alexander enlisted on 15th July 1915, in Keswick South Australia. His unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelongon, 18 November 1915 for the 32nd Infantry Battalion in World War 1. When he arrived at his destination he worked as a Sapper in the rank private (A sapper, is a combatant or soldier who performs a variety of military engineering duties such as breaching fortifications, demolitions, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, preparing field defences etc.).

He committed one crime in Ismailia, which was giving a false name to an officer; punishment – 3 – 14 days’ pay cut (2018. National Archives of Australia. [ONLINE] Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3435641. [Accessed 28 March 2018]). Throughout his time on the field he suffered from things such as gas poisoning, moderate laryngitis, severe conjunctivitis, pediculosis (an infestation with lice) etc, which led him to be constantly admitted to hospital, leaving and returning multiple times. But he eventually recovered from his injuries as some of his Red Cross documents state - “There has been great recovery in the condition of his eyes and he is now progressing favourably.”

In total Alexander earned three medals during his time on field – the Star medal, 1914/1915 Star issue B.R.M. Issued 7762, the British medal, 4/8 British War Medal. Issued 7861 and the Victory medal, 4/8 Victory Medal. Issued 7795 and got transferred once from 32nd   B.N (an infantry battalion of the Australian Army) to 5th Australian Division Signal Company. Cox returned to Australia mid-February 1919, with a total of 3 years, 318 days spent in war and 3 years, 139 days of service aboard (2018. Australian War Memorial. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10479028. [Accessed 2 April 2018]). He lived a reasonable amount of years after returning from war and died on Christmas eve, 24th December 1959 (2018. RSL Virtual War Memorial. [ONLINE] Available at: https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/50591. [Accessed 3 April 2018]). Nothing was stated in documents of his life after war.

The ANZAC Spirit was well displayed by all the soldiers who fought for us during the war and persevered to fight for our country’s freedom, with ongoing courage, bravery, initiative and endurance. Through his countless injuries, re-occurring diseases and constant gassing Alexander made his best efforts to continue to return to the war (after being admitted countless times) to serve our country in the War along side other soldiers of all ranks. Although placed in the lowest rank – private – he worked strenuously through his pain and suffering as a sapper. As a result of this Alexander received three medals; the Star medal, the Victory medal, and finally the British war medal for all his heavy labour. In the end all soldiers and workers who participated in the war have risked their life for us.