Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Willcox, a draper, born 1845 in Honiton, Notts., and his wife Mary Elizabeth Willcox, born 1847 in Melton Mowbray, Leics. Alfred Octavius was born in 1881 in Melton Mowbray, Leics., his siblings were, William H., a medical student, born 1870, Charles E. L., a draper’s apprentice, born 1871, Robert D., a draper’s apprentice, born 1873, Edgar, a builders clerk, born 1874, Harold, born 1877, Henry C., born 1879, Minnie A., born 1883, Algernon, born 1885 and Arthur D., born 1887, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Brooksfield House, The Spinney, Melton Mowbray, Leics. In March 1901 Alfred was employed as a bank clerk and was residing as a boarder at Mount Road, Hinckley, Leics. On Friday November 30th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MISSING BELIEVED KILLED. – We regret to learn that Mr. Alfred Octavius Willcox is reported missing and believed to be killed. He was the eighth child of the late Mr. William Willcox, who for very many years carried on business as a draper at Melton Mowbray, and with distinction filled practically all the public offices of the town. Educated at the Wyggeston Boys’ School, he subsequently joined the Leicestershire (now London City and Midland) Bank at Hinckley, where he remained until joining the army in January 1916. He was a member of the 1st Artists’ Rifles and soon after joining went to France and took part in the battle and capture of Passchendaele Ridge on Oct. 31st, from which date he has been missing. Mr. Willcox was well known at Hinckley, and had a wide circle of friends by whom he was much esteemed. Should the worst fears prove true, his loss will be sincerely felt by all who knew him. On Friday January18th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – PTE. A. O. WILLCOX KILLED. – On November 30th we recorded the fact that Pte. Alfred Octavius Willcox, of the Artists Rifles, was reported missing and believed to have been killed. The worst fears have now been confirmed, as this week his friends have had a letter from his Section Commander (who has just recovered from wounds received at the same time) stating that he saw him killed. He speaks very highly of deceased’s capabilities as a soldier, and describes him as the coolest man in his section. Pte. Willcox was taking part in the attack of Passchendaele Ridge on Oct. 31st, and was the first man to fall. He was the eighth child of the late Mr. William Willcox of Melton Mowbray, and was educated at the Wyggeston Boys’ School. Subsequently he joined the Leicestershire (now London City and Midland) Bank at Hinckley, where he remained until joining the Artists Rifles in January 1916, and shortly afterwards went out to France. Much sympathy will be extended to the bereaved relatives. On the 31st January 1920 the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester published a Roll of Honour in which Alfred is shown to have been a pupil at the school between the years 1898 and 1900.