COX, Cecil Ernest Robert

Rank: 
Corporal
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Prior Police Service: 
West Sussex Constabulary and Metropolitan Police
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Armoured Corps
Service: 
Army
Number: 
14241734
Born: 
Tuesday, April 15, 1919
Died : 
Wednesday, March 22, 1944
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age: 
24
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Corporal Cecil Cox, 1 troop died on 22 March 1944 of wounds received on the 18/19 March 1944 during a raid on the village of Grohote on the Dalmatian island of Solta. Son of Ernest and Alice Jane Cox of Horsham Sussex. Cecil Cox was a Metropolitan Police Officer who had volunteered for the Commandos as part of the Police Intakes of 1942 [1][2][3][5][6].
Extract form the No.2 Commando War Diary.
"23 March 1944 Cpl. Cox, wounded in the Solta raid and who died of his wounds the previous evening, was buried in the British Naval Cemetery, Vis." [2].
Account in an IWM audio recording.
Signalman Herbert John 'Johnny' Morris No 2 Commando 1 troop, describes the incident leading to the fatal wounding. He stated that a group of Germans had raised a white flag of surrender. Cox, described as one of the Police Intakes, stood up and the enemy immediately opened fire with a Spandau. The Commandos then engaged and killed the enemy. Treated by the Medical Officer, Captain McWilliams, the wounded Cox was taken back to Vis, but died of his wounds and was buried in the Naval Cemetery [3].
Extract from the West Sussex County Times - Friday 14 April 1944
"Horsham Commando Dies In Italy :- Corporal C. E R. Cox, only son of Mrs A. J. Cox and the late Mr. Ernest Cox of 36 Cambridge Road. Horsham has died of wounds in Italy. Corporal Cox, who was 25, died on March 22nd. He was a Commando. A keen athlete, he was at Colyers School from 1930 to 1935. After leaving he worked for three years in the local police force and then joined the Metropolitan Police Force." [4].
  • Cecil Ernest Robert Cox, warrant number 127792, joined The Metropolitan Police on 5 June 1939, and left on 22 March 1944 (died). Last posted to D Division as a PC [5].
  • In 1939 he was a Police Constable residing at the Police Section House, Crawford Place, Marble Arch [6].
Sources
[1] CWGC
[2] No 2 Commando War Diary 23 March 1944.
[3] The IWM interview with Herbert John Morris.
[4] West Sussex County Times.
[5] Register of leavers from the Metropolitan Police / National Archives file MEPO 4/350/252.
[6] The 1939 Register covering Marylebone, London.
 
Notes
There is a 1 troop photo from 1942 in our gallery which includes a Pte Cox.  We are uncertain at this time if this man is in fact Cecil Cox 2 years before his death.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 

Ask Questions / Add Information / Add Photos

Use the Archive Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now]
Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
Contact the Archive via the [contact form].
 
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.