Edward Cox was born circa 1871 in Deptford, Kent (now Greater London). He was the third of the nine children of George and Elizabeth Cox.
In the 1881 census he is shown as aged 10 years and living at 16 Brunswick Street, Deptford, with his parents and six siblings: George Cox, aged 15 years; Louisa Cox, aged 12 years; Ellen Cox, aged 8 years; Robert Cox, aged 6 years; Alice Cox, aged 3 years and Agnes Cox, aged 10 months. His father was described as a plasterer.
When he completed his 1911 census return form he showed himself as Edward Cox, aged 37 years, a waterside labourer who had been married for 8 years and had 2 children. He was occupying one room at 60 Windmill Lane, Deptford, with his wife, Charlotte Cox, aged 39 years and their two children Edward Cox, aged 7 years and Ada Cox, aged 3 years.
However, the marriage register at St Luke's Church, Deptford, shows that on 4 October 1914 he married Charlotte Ada Purvor. He was described as aged 45 years, a bachelor and a soldier, living at 261 Evelyn Street, Deptford, the son of George Cox (deceased), a plasterer, whilst his wife was shown as aged 45 years, a spinster, also residing at 261 Evelyn Street, Deptford, the daughter of William Purvor (deceased), a boiler maker.
He was a Private in the 451st Protection Company of the Royal Defence Corps, service number 1087, when his death was registered, as aged 47 years, in the 1st quarter of 1919 in the Cork Registration District, County Antrim, Ireland. He had died on 6 February 1919 from bronchitis in the Central Military Hospital, Victoria Barracks, Cork. His body was brought back to England and he was in Plot A, Grave 1827, in Brockley Cemetery, 113 Brockley Grove, London, SE4 1DZ. As he has no headstone, he is commemorated in the cemetery on the that shows him as '1087 PRIVATE E. COX ROYAL DEFENCE CORPS 6.2.1919 AGE 48'.
On 16 August 1919 his army effects totalling £4-4s-5d plus his £15-10s-0d war gratuity were sent to his widow. She was also paid a pension of £1-16s-6d per week for herself and their two children.
He is also commemorated on the , on the and on the .
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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