Sergeant Frank Stanley Cox 21452 born 16 April 1892 in Wormley, Staffordshire, England. He was a Steam Engineer. Attested 30 August 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec. He stood 6′ tall, 170 pounds, with fair complexion, brown eyes and black hair. Scar on right forehead, under right eye, civil appendectomy scar.
With 105th Regiment (Saskatoon Fusiliers). The Saskatoon Fusiliers placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protection duties. Then, with the 11th Battalion, his unit sailed 3 October 1914. Private Frank Stanley Cox to the 9th Reserve Battalion. Sprained ankle, No. 1 General Hospital, 14 December 1914, finally discharged 17 December 1914.
Private Frank Stanley Cox hospitalized, 16 January 1915 to 10 February 1915, with appendicitis.
France
Private Frank Stanley Cox arrived in France on 26 April 1915, with the 10th Battalion.
4/5 February 1916
At 10:30 p.m. two men of a Covering Party returned to the trenches and reported Private Samuel Stewart Rider 426137, a member of the party, had been sniped. The men also stated the N.C.O. in charge, Sgt. Pringle, seemed somewhat excited. R.S.M. Stuart sent out to investigate the situation. His instructions to assume charge if necessary, otherwise, to return to the trench and report.
After passing Advanced Signal Station and before reaching Covering Party, he met Sgt Pringle coming back. Then, Sgt Pringle seemed considerably excited and informed him that entire Covering Party and Wire Cutters had been captured by Germans. Having only two men with him, RSM Stuart, returned to trench to report and get reinforcements in case Sgt Pringle’s story had any truth to it.
As absolutely no sound of a fight had been heard, and it was known that our men would never surrender without giving a good account of themselves, no credence was given to Sgt. Pringle’s story. Finally, he was placed under close arrest and sent to the rear.
Lance-Corporal Frank Stanley Cox
Day was breaking and it was rapidly becoming lighter. Several parties were organized to go out and assist in bringing in the wounded. Captain Walker, Lt’s Kent and Younger, Sgt. Budd and Private Cox deserve special mention in this connection.
Private Frank Stanley Cox admitted No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance, Influenza, 17 February 1916. Private Frank Stanley Cox appointed Lance-Corporal, 1 March 1916.
Decorations
In Divisional Reserve at Bulford Camp. Church parade take by Capt. J. Pringle, Chaplain to the Canadian Forces. The battalion paraded for presentation of decorations awarded night of 4/5 February 1916. Military Cross, Lt’s Stanley Hornsby Kent, Alfred Syer Trimmer and Frank Laurence Younger. Distinguished Conduct Medal, Sergeant Samuel Schultz 19637, Sergeant Arnold Osborne Budd 22555, Private Frank G. Sixby 19913, Private Louis Zuidema 20922 and Lance Corporal Frank Stanley Cox 21452 of the 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Opportunities to identify CEF soldiers in IWM images few and far between. Lance Corporal Frank Stanley Cox 21452 of the 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, being decorated by Lieutenant General Edwin Alderson with the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Near Locre, 19 March 1916.
Captain Stanley Hornsby Kent
During the initial Vimy Ridge attack, Kent advanced as liaison officer to the 15th Battalion on his unit’s left. On 10 April 1917 he became a paid Acting Captain. In the first stages of the battle for Arleux on 28 April 1917, Captain Kent seriously wounded while guiding troops into the jumping-off trenches. Kent died of his wounds 29 April 1917, at no. 30 Casualty Clearing Station. Buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Aubigny-en-Artois, north-est of Arras, France.
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Lance-Corporal Frank Stanley Cox awarded the D.C.M.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack on the enemy he did great execution as a bomber, and later volunteered to go out again and bring in the wounded. He did fine work.
London Gazette, No. 29508, 15 March 1916
On 19 March 1916, 49 reinforcements arrived. On 21 March 1916, the 10th relieved the 7th Battalion in the trenches.
In the trenches during the night of 6 May 1916. A relatively quiet night. Few enemy rifle grenades, but one explodes close to Frank. Admitted No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance, concussion, 6 May 1916.
The incident becomes Frank’s last day in battle. A month will pass before he heads back to England, by this time he has recovered from his physical wounds, but the mental trauma remains.
Return to England
Lance-Corporal Frank Stanley Cox transferred to England, 9 June 1916. Then, admitted London War Hospital, shell shock, 10 June 1916, discharged 24 August 1916, to Military General Hospital, Epsom. Still nervous, headaches, sleeplessness. Heart rather rapid, 28 August 1916. Finally, discharged 9 September 1916 and deemed fit for duty after 8 weeks physical training, 13 September 1916.
Lance-Corporal Frank Stanley Cox granted permission to marry, 4 January 1917, London, England. Mrs. Wilhimina Annie Cox of 40 Holland Road, Brixton 36, London, England.
Corporal Frank Stanley Cox
To be Acting Corporal with pay, 17 January 1917.
Sergeant Frank Stanley Cox
Corporal Frank Stanley Cox to be Acting Sergeant with pay, 9 March 1917. On Command to A.P.M., 9th Reserve Battalion, London, 24 April 1917.
On leave, free transportation, 30 May 1917 to 2 June 1917. Soon evident Frank took the opportunity to spend some time with his wife, Wilhilmina. While on duty, Sergeant Frank Stanley Cox admitted Canadian Hospital, Buxton, myalgia (back), 10 September 1917.
Vera Cox
Frank and Wilhilmina had a child, Vera Cox (Whitehead), born January 1918 in England.
Four months pass before Sergeant Frank Stanley Cox on leave, free transportation, 29 May 1918 to 3 June 1918. The Cox family united for the first time. Then, detached to No.53 District, CFC, 16 October 1918. Again, on leave, transportation at own expense, 22 December 1918 to 27 December 1918. Finally, Sgt Frank Stanley Cox to 1st Casualty Clearing Depot, 24 May 1919.
Return to Canada
Sgt. Frank Stanley Cox S.o.S. to Canada, 28 July 1919. Arrived in Halifax, RMS ADRIATIC, 5 August 1919.
![Departure of 3rd Canadian Division per S.S. "Adriatic" from Liverpool March 1st 1919. Maj-Gen Loomis has a kindly word and handshake for many officers and men as they passed [The R.C.R. officer shaking hands with Maj.-Gen. Loomis is Lt. H.R. St. C. Jones of Weymouth, N.S.]. MIKAN No. 3522991](https://i0.wp.com/cefrg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/3522991-a005928-v8.jpg?resize=1000%2C781&ssl=1)
Sergeant Frank Stanley Cox discharged on 12 August 1919. At some point, the Cox’s moved to 611 29th Street W., Saskatoon, Sask.
Sergeant Frank Stanley Cox DCM survived the Great War and is buried at Victory Memorial Park, Surrey, British Columbia. Frank died 8 February 1965 in Vancouver, B.C. Unfortunately, his family may not benefit from the Last Post Fund’s mission to ensure no Veteran is denied a military-style headstone.
Wilhimina Annie Cox died in 18 October 1973, buried at Victory Memorial Park, Surrey, B.C.
Finally, their daughter, Vera Cox Whitehead died in October of 2003, buried at Capilano View Cemetery, West Vancouver, B.C.
The Last Post Fund
The Last Post Fund’s mission to ensure no Veteran denied a dignified funeral and burial, and military gravestone, due to insufficient funds at the time of death.
The primary mandate of the Last Post Fund to deliver the Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program which provides funeral, burial and grave marking benefits for eligible Canadian and Allied Veterans.
Military Grave Markers
Grave markers are ordered by the Last Post Fund through selected suppliers to ensure compliance with the inscription standards of Veterans Affairs Canada. Depending on the type of marker allowed at the cemetery, the Last Post Fund may place an upright or recumbent grey granite military-style marker.
Client Service Team
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Captain David McAndie MC DCM MM also served in the 10th Battalion during the Great War. Lieutenant David McAndie, perhaps the forth-to-last man in the row being decorated by Lt-Gen Sir Arthur Currie below.
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