Military History

Harry on 16th August 1915 at the Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield following an operation to amputate a leg which had suffered a wound from an explosive bullet that had gone through, and broken, his thigh bone. The following newspaper obituary carries the details of his wounding and initial treatment.

Coventry Standard – Friday 27th August 1915
Death of a Kenilworth Solider

Sergt, Harry Cox, son of Mrs. Cox (a widow), of Henry Street, Kenilworth died last week from shock following the amputation of a leg. Sergt. Cox was only twenty years of age. He went to Ypres in September last, and had been at the front right up to July 6^th, when he was wounded by an explosive bullet in the thigh. His diary contains the following version of the incident and subsequent events:-

“Made an attack on July 6^th and got wounded, shot through and broken thigh bone. Lay in trench from 5.30am to 11.30pm. Carried to dressing station two miles away. Got into ambulance at Poperinghe. Early next morning had an operation. Next day again put into an ambulance, and arrived at Etaples late in the night. Had another operation next day. Stopped there until the 11^th; was booked for England and set sail on the 12^th. Arrived at Sheffield 10.30pm same day. In bed ever since.”

Here the poor boys terse account ends. His mother has been at Sheffield for a fortnight, and was often with her son, who, she says, was wonderfully bright and cheerful, and the fatal termination was wholly unexpected. It was at 10.30am on Monday last that the operation of the removal of the leg took place, and the young man died three hours later, having collapsed after regaining consciousness.

Sergeant Cox joined the Army in August 1913 and went out to France as a Rifleman. He was promoted to Corporal in December and got his sergeant’s stripes in May. He had been recommended for Quartermaster Sergeant when he was laid low. His body was brought home and the internment will take place at St. Nicholas Church on Saturday.