Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Cox, a bricklayer’s labourer, born 1865 in Goadby, Leicestershire and his wife Florence Sarah, born 1863 in Leicester. Ernest, a schoolboy was born in the 1st quarter of 1886 in Leicester, he had one sibling, a sister Nellie, born 1890 in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at Edward Street, Leicester. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as an apprentice bricklayer and was residing in the family home at 39, Rollestone Street, Leicester together with his father a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Nellie, Frederick, born 1892, Walter, born 1895, Margaret Ethel, born 1898 and Albert Edward, born 1900, the latter four siblings were all born in Leicester. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a bricklayer’s labourer and was residing in the family home at 9, Merridale Road, West Humberstone, Leicester together with his wife Marion Cox (nee Winker, married on the 21st July 1906 in the Leicester Register Office, by William C. -?-, Registrar, James Alfred Johnson and Lily Rosina Beck were witnesses), born 1885 in Leicester and their children, Sara Leva, born 27th February 1907 and Joseph William, born 4th July 1909, both children were born in Leicester. After the 1911 census they had two further children, George, born on the 3rd May 1911 and Margaret Elizabeth, born on the 5th April 1913, both children were born in Leicester. In the 2nd quarter of 1916, Ernest’s widow married William E. Herrick in the Leicester district.
Ernest attested into the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 13th March 1902 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as St. Luke’s, Leicester, his age as 18 years and 1 month and his trade or calling as labourer, his present employer being, Mr Collins of Leicester. He gave his current home address as 2, Alberta Street, St. Luke’s, Leicester. He stated that he was unmarried. He gave his father George Cox and mother Sarah Cox of 39, Rollestone Street, Leicester, his brothers, William Cox, Walter Cox and sisters Nellie Cox and Margaret Cox as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4½ inches in height, weighed 122 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had light grey eyes. It was noted that he had a mole at the bottom of his neck on the right side. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for Militia service on the 13th March 1902 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 8171 on the 13/3/02. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment – Militia and commenced 49 days drill on the 13/3/02. Discharged when he enlisted into the Regular Army (Leicestershire Regiment) on the 28/4/02. Ernest attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve on the 28th April 1902 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as St. Luke’s, Leicester, his age as 18 years and 2 months and his trade or calling as labourer. He stated that he was unmarried. He confirmed that he was serving with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment – Militia. He gave his father George Cox and mother Sarah Cox of 39, Rollestone Street, Leicester, his brothers Walter Cox and Willie Cox and sisters Ethel Cox and Nellie Cox as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4¼ inches in height, weighed 125 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had blue eyes. It was noted that he had a scar on the front of his right leg. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for Army service on the 28th April 1902 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 6376 on the 28/4/02. Forfeits 8 days pay for absence 17th to 24th. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment stationed in Guernsey on the 26/11/02. Posted to Alderney on the 9/12/02. Posted to Guernsey on the 4/7/03. Awaiting trial on the 16/12/03. Tried by R.C.M. and convicted of failing to appear at the place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer and sentenced to 28 days imprisonment with Hard Labour on the 18/12/03. Transferred to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 9/2/04. Embarked aboard the SS Sicilia on the 11/2/04. Posted to Madras on the 5/3/04. Transferred to the Army Reserve on the 14/3/05. Re-engaged Section “D” Army Reserve on the 28/4/14. Mobilized on the 5/8/14. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 5/8/14. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 4/1/15. Killed in action, place not stated on the 6/2/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 28/4/02 – 8/2/04, 1 year 258 days. India, 9/2/04 – 23/3/05, 1 year 43 days. Home Service, 24/3/05 – 3/1/15, 9 years 286 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 4/1/15 – 6/2/15, 34 days. Total service, 12 years and 285 days. Ernest was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. Ernest’s widow and four children were awarded a weekly pension of 22 shillings and 6 pence to commence on the 30th August 1915. Ernest’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 5 Feb-15 – Situation unchanged. Telephone connection renewed with East Lancashire Regiment on the left. Advanced posts thick mud.
The War Diary records: 6 Feb-15 - No change enemy quiet. Patrols went out but discovered no movement of enemy. Water and food being stored in the orchard.
On Saturday February 27th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – THE BRIDGE ROAD ROLL OF HONOUR. News has been received from the War Office of the death of Private Ernest Cox, of the 2nd Leicestershire Regt., who is reported to have been killed in action on Feb. 6th. He was an old Bridge Road Boy, and a reservist. Writing to his old school a few weeks ago he said; “I regret that so many of our old boys have fallen, but the cause is a good one, and I go to the front with a good heart.” Private Frank Broughton, an old boy of the same regiment, has also fallen.
In the same issue the following further article was published under the heading. LEICESTER MEN KILLED IN ACTION. – Information has been received in Leicester that Pte. Ernest Cox, of the 2nd Leicester Regiment was killed in action on February 5th, at a place not stated. He was an Old Bridge Road Boy, and a reservist. He leaves a widow and four children, who live at 9, Merridale Road, Leicester.